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 65
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John George Moore, great-grandfather of John M., came from Holland
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to this country about 1720, and settled in Schoharie county, New York, where he remained for some time. Prior to 1730, however, he moved to Lebanon county, Pa., and there, in Millcreek township, settled upon a tract of wild land, which he received from a patent granted by John, Thomas and Richard Penn. Here he cleared up a fine home for himself, where he for the most part spent the rest of his business life. By his marriage there were four children : John, who is mentioned below; and Elizabeth, Catherine, and Rebecca. Mr. Moore possessed those strong, energetic traits of character, which pre-eminently fitted him for his pioneering career, and he played no insignificant part in opening Lebanon county up to settlers, and establishing there a good and orderly government.
John Moore, grandfather of John M., continued the pioneering work, which his father had begun in Millbach Valley. There he received careful rearing and thorough training in habits of industry and self- reliance. During his young manhood he married Elizabeth Moyer, and they had nine children : John. Monroe, Michael, George, Jonathan, Henry, Philip, Mary and Eve. After his marriage Mr. Moore engaged in agriculture in Millcreek township and continued at that for the most part throughout his active life. Wise in his management, not afraid of work, he prospered, and occupied a leading place among the agriculturists of this section. All his life he was an interested student of public affairs, and upon the organization of the Democratic party cast his influence on that side, being especially a strong advocate of Thomas Jefferson and his principles.
Jonathan Moore, father of John M., following in the foot-steps of his predecessors, became a leading agriculturist of Millcreek township. On his father's well-ordered farm he received careful training for his life-work, and in the public schools of his vicinity a good practical education. As a young man facing life's problems for himself, he naturally turned to farming for his livelihood, and meeting with success he continued in that line. After some years he settled upon a neat attractive farm, a quarter of a mile south of Millbach, and here, in 1830 he erected handsome buildings, which are still intact, and are occupied by his son, John M. Mr. Moore improved the place in other respects, making it one of the most productive and profitable farms in this section. About 1820 Mr. Moore married Catherine Miller, and they had three children : John M. ; Michael, a retired agriculturist and cattle dealer, of Millbach; and Elizabeth, who died in childhood. Mr. Moore possessed energy and the ability to apply it successfully to the affairs of life. He was not only a hard worker, but one who prospered in his undertakings. In public affairs he was influential, and in politics affiliated with the Democrats.
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He was a man of marked integrity of character, and a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
John M. Moore was born near Millbach, June 27, 1822, and in that vicinity grew to manhood. After the fashion of those days he attended the subscription schools, and there received careful training in habits of industry and attention of much value to him in later years. A genius for handicraft led him at an early age to enter a jeweler's shop, and there learn the watch- making trade. Strict attention to his work, and inherent ability enabled him in a short time to master the details of the craft, and he afterward followed the trade as a regular business. In 1846 Mr. Moore married Elizabeth Leis, daughter of Henry Leis, of Heidelberg township, who was one of the pio- neers of Berks county. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had two children : William, who is engaged in the painting business in Richland; and Elizabeth, at home.
After his marriage Mr. Moore settled on the family homestead on the outskirts of Millbach, where he now resides. Here he has for many years carried on farming very successfully. He has improved the place, kept it in excellent condition, and now has a very attractive home. Besides superin- tending this farm, he has also carried on his trade as a watchmaker. An expert workman he found from the start no difficulty in securing work in this line, and he has continued it now for fully sixty years. He has prospered far beyond his earliest expectations, and is now one of the well-to-do citi- zens of the county. Being now in his eighty-second year he is at present living a somewhat retired life. His wife is also living. and is now in her eightieth year.
Mr. Moore's life has been characterized by moderation. abstemious habits, and marked integrity. Both he and his wife are influential members of the Reformed Church of Millbach. His genial nature and generosity have won him friends in all circles, and he is widely known and highly es- teemed throughout the county. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and he has lived to cast his vote for fourteen different Presidents.
A. P. SWOPE. One of the oldest families in Pennsylvania is that of which A. P. Swope. a cigar box manufacturer of Lebanon, is a worthy representative, and which has been known in the State for one hundred and eighty-four years, or since the emigrating ancestor, John, came from his home in Germany and settled in Lancaster county. Pa .. in 1720. This remote forefather left his parents in the Fatherland, and his father John. traced his lineage back to 1678. From John. the emigrant. the family is traced through Yost, Jacob, Jacob (2). Christian. Henry and A. P., the latter therefore
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representing the seventh generation in Pennsylvania. He was born in Leb- anon county, and is the youngest son of Henry and Louise (Eckert) Swope, also of Lebanon county.
Henry Swope was born about 1820, and died in 1880. He was known in Lebanon for many years as a leading contractor and builder. He was the son of Christian and Mary (Gloniger) Swope, the former a farmer and distiller in this county. Christian Swope had six children, Philip. Henry. Daniel, John, Rebecca and Mary, of whom John and Mary are still living. About 1844 Henry Swope married Louise Eckert, of South Lebanon, and of this union there were born eight children, six of whom are living: Charles D., of Lebanon ; Abraham D .; William J .; Emma C .; Edward F .; and A. P.
The education of A. P. Swope was acquired in the public schools, and his youth was uneventfully passed under the parental roof. Upon starting out to earn his own living he engaged in cigar box manufacturing, and has been thus engaged for several years. He has a thorough understanding of his profitable business, and his natural thrift and enterprise would indicate a continuation of his past and present success. He is a Democrat in political affiliation, but has never been afflicted with official aspirations. He is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Swope has never married. but lives with his mother and sister, Emma C., at the old homestead. The family are held in high esteem by all who know them, and are valued not only for the historic interest attached to their name, but for their personal worthiness and public spiritedness.
SAMUEL M. KLINE. Although Samuel M. Kline is now one of the most substantial and intelligent men of Cornwall township, he is an entirely self-made one, his early life being one of hard work and very few educational advantages. His success is a striking example of the result of energy, in- dustry, honesty and perseverance.
Mr. Kline was born June 18, 1851, in Berks county, Pa., a son of John S. and Kate (Merkey) Kline, both families belonging to Berks county, the grandfathers Benjamin Kline and Abraham Merkey, being well known and prominent agriculturists. Grandfather Kline was also a minister in the Ger- man Baptist Church for many years. Some years prior to his retirement he moved to Lebanon county, and bought a farm upon which he lived until ad- vanced age. He reared a large family, six of these moving to Lebanon county, namely : Bennowell, now a prominent resident of Dauphin county ; Moses, a farmer in Dauphin county ; Daniel, long a prosperous citizen of Lebanon county, and for a period a retired resident of Sunnyside; Hettie,
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who died single; Ann, who married Rev. David Hoffman, of the United Brethren Church; Sallie, who married Michael Bashore, of Berks county; Kate, who married Henry Frantz of Berks county: and John S., the father of Samuel M.
John S. Kline was reared and spent his early life on the farm near Millersburg, retiring to the town about 1884, since when he has lived in retirement. His wife died in 1885. Mr. Kline comes of a long-lived family, and has seen his eighty-seventh birthday. For many years he has been a consistent member of the German Baptist Church. The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kline were : Eliza, the wife of John Kline, of Berks county; John M., a farmer in Lancaster county; Leah. deceased, unmarried; Kate, the wife of John Zeigler, of Annvillle: Samuel M., of Lebanon county ; Israel, a farmer of Berks county : Sarah, the wife of William Aunsbach, of Annville.
Samuel M. Kline's boyhood was passed on the farm, and very early he learned the practical side of a farmer's life, securing but a limited education on account of the everyday duties which fell on his young shoulders. This early disadvantage, however, has long since been remedied, Mr. Kline being a man of wide reading and close observation. The fund of knowledge accumulated by him through life makes him a most pleasing and instructive conversationalist.
On September 16, 1870, Mr. Kline was married to Miss Amelia Web- ber, daughter of George and Amelia ( Whitman) Webber, of Berks county, and a family of seven children has been born to them namely: Alice, who married John Bowman, a farmer of North Cornwall township, and has two children, Minnie and Eugene: Katie, who is the wife of Harvey Houser. a farmer of North Cornwall township, and has one child. Amy: Nora, the wife of Adam Binne, who remains with her husband at the old home; Minnie, the wife of Joseph Tice, a farmer of Cornwall township: and Sadie, Annie and Harvey, at home. These children have been carefully reared in the precepts of the German Baptist Church, in which Mr. Kline is superintendent of the Sunday School at the Spring Creek Church, and they have been given the advantages of a good common-school education.
Mr. Kline owns a fine farm of eighty acres located one mile west of the city of Lebanon, where evidences of thrift and prosperity are noticed on all sides. In addition he owns a lime kiln and a stone quarry, both of these being of great commercial value, much lime being manufactured at the former, and some of the finest stone in the State being quarried at the latter. Some marble has also been obtained at this quarry. while the stone is in great demand for building purposes, and a large amount has been shipped to
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the cement works at Alpha, N. J. Still another business enterprise in which Mr. Kline has engaged is the operating of a thresher during the season. He is a man of very practical ideas, and as such was a great acquisition to the school board on which he served six years. His financial independence has been won through his own efforts, and he is justified in a certain amount of pride. With his family he is held in the highest esteem in Cornwall town- ship.
AARON M. VOGT, one of the large farmers of Lebanon county, whose land is located on the line of South Jackson and South Lebanon townships, about five miles southeast of the city of Lebanon and three miles southwest of Myerstown, is the owner of 207 acres of the best land and the handsomest brick residence in the township. Surrounded by all to make life happy and comfortable, Mr. Vogt is also one of the most highly regarded residents of this locality.
Mr. Vogt was born November 15, 1847, on this fine old homestead, on which his great-grandfather, Jacob Vogt, settled prior to 1770. Jacob Vogt, who married Maria Barbara Hess, was the founder of the family in this part of Pennsylvania, and came hither from Germany, settling first in Lebanon, where he built the old "Farmers Hotel." He received the deeds for his land from the sons of William Penn. Aaron M. is a son of David and Magdalena (Mase) Vogt, who were farmers on the old home also, where David was born in 1808, and died May 19, 1889. He was a son of John George Vogt. who was born in Lebanon April 25, 1758, and died December 20, 1836. John George Vogt married Catherine Hoerner, who was born April 18. 1777, and who died April 24. 1852, aged seventy-five years and six days. They were the parents of eight children, namely: David, George. Susanna, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, Anna and Sarah.
David Vogt, in 1834, married Magdalena Mase, of Heidelberg town- ship, who was born May 15, 1817, and died April 11, 1900, aged eighty-two years, ten months, and twenty-six days. They had four children, namely : Anna, the wife of John Reinoehls, of Lebanon, a merchant; Aaron M .; George. who died November 4. 1837, aged one year, three months and eigh- teen days : and Amanda, who died August 9, 1840, aged one year, six months and six days. David Vogt was one of the leading citizens of his community. prominent in all reform movements, a supporter of the Republican party and a man of upright life and character. His religious connection was with the Lutheran Church.
Aaron M. Vogt was afforded good educational advantages. Upon
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finishing the course in the local schools, he entered upon study at the Myers- town Academy, and later Muhlenberg College. Being an only son, with a large patrimony, Mr. Vogt then went back to the farm and has remained in its management ever since. Four generations have now occupied the home- stead, which is generally conceded to be one of the largest and best in the township. Mr. Vogt has continued to make improvements of a substantial nature, and has modern structures of latest pattern and sanitary arrange- ments. Mr. Vogt is progressive and takes much enjoyment in his model farm.
On December 23, 1876, Mr. Vogt was married to Miss Kate Zinn, daughter of John and Sarah (Shimp) Zinn, the former a well known farmer and miller of Cornwall township. Their children, four of whom survive, were: George Z., born December 28, 1878, is a farmer at home; Lucien William, born April 20, 1881, died September 9, 1895, aged fourteen years, four months and twenty days; Anna Magdalena, born April 27. 1883, is a student at the Millersville State Normal School; David Mase, born Jan- uary 28, 1885, is a student at Albright College, at Myerstown; and Paul Melancthon, born December 5, 1887, has not yet completed the common school course. Mr. Vogt has been deeply interested in the welfare of his family, and has surrounded them with care and comfort and has given them educational advantages. For a long period Mr. Vogt has been an active supporter of the Republican party, but he has never aspired to office. With his family he belongs to and generously supports the Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon. Coming from old and honorable families, these good people can claim kindred with many others, but none are more highly esteemed in Jackson township.
EDWIN T. GERBERICH. Among the old and reliable families of Lebanon county, Pa., the Gerberich family occupies a leading position, its rep- resentatives coming to the New World where they made homes for them- selves and their descendants, and for more than a century they have done their part in advancing the progress and civilization. Of those of a later day, Edwin T. Gerberich is an excellent example.
Daniel U. Gerberich, the father of Edwin T., was a descendant of worthy ancestors, and at his death left behind him an enviable reputation as a Christian man, and one whose influence was always on the side of right and morality. He was a member for many years of the Lutheran Church, and worked in it both as a lay member and as an official, serving as both trustee and deacon, and at the time of his death he was treasurer. It was his belief that it is wiser
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and more humane to educate the ignorant than to wait until criminals are made of those who lack higher knowledge. With this idea in view, at a time when to advocate and carry out these ideas meant a large increase in his taxes, and when his own children were too young to benefit by his generosity, he sup- ported and lived to see carried out many very advanced and worthy suggestions along these lines. Loving music himself, he gave his children every advantage to cultivate their tastes in this direction, and hired a German music teacher for them. His own opportunities for acquiring a good education were limited to the district schools of his neighborhood, but his children did not lack in this respect. Among his sons were four who embraced the profession of a physi- cian, one of whom is now deceased. In his political faith he was a Republican, as were all the members of his family, but he was in no sense an office secker. Taking, as he did, so deep an interest in educational matters, however, he con- sented to serve upon the school board. Daniel U. Gerberich was born in what was then East Hanover township, but is now Union township, on the farm now owned by his son, Francis, where he grew to maturity, and after the death of his father, became its owner by heirship and purchase, and resided there until his death. He married Miss Catherine Baeshore, daughter of Thomas and Magdalena (Copenhauer) Baeshore, and they had children as follows: Alfred B., deceased ; Daniel P., a physician of Lebanon city : Frank- lin, deceased; Milton H., deceased, who was a physician in Annville; Cora, deceased : Dr. Morris B., of Lebanon; Rose Elizabeth, deceased; Edwin J. ; Grant B., residing in Johnsonburg, Elk county, where he is superintendent of twenty schools: Katharine Magdalena, residing in Annville; Francis B., who operates the home farm; Harry Landis, studying medicine in Lebanon; and Ida May, deceased.
The Gerberich farm of 150 acres was one of the most productive pieces of land in Union township, on account of the intelligent methods adopted in its cultivation. Both Mr. Gerberich and his wife have passed away and sleep their last sleep in the Walmer Church cemetery. Henry Gerberich, father of Daniel U., married Elizabeth Urich, and to them were born ten children : Elizabeth, Henry U., Daniel U., Abraham U., John Phillips, Mary, Valentine U., Katherine, Magdalena and Rosa, all of whom grew to maturity and married except one.
Edwin T. Gerberich, our subject, was born on the home farm, August 26, 1864, and there grew to maturity. He married Miss Sarah Alice, daugh- ter of Jacob and Sabina ( Behney) Singley ; she was born near Pine Grove. Schuylkill Co., Pa., January 16, 1864. and left home at an age so young she knows but little of her family history. Four children have been born to Mr.
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and Mrs. Gerberich : Daniel, born January 6, 1896, and died the 23d of the same month; a pair of twins died at birth, and Viola May, born May 21, 1898. Had he so desired Mr. Gerberich could have fitted himself for a pro- fession, but he decided to remain an agriculturist, and in 1891 purchased the farm of Martin Bowman, of Lebanon, on which he now resides. It con- tains 173 acres of rich land, under a high state of cultivation, with comforta- ble home and fine outbuildings. Mr. Gerberich is organist of the Walmer Lutheran Church, of which both he and his wife are members. In his politi- cal belief he is an ardent Republican, one of those of whom the question is never asked, which side of the fence is he on, or how he casts his vote. He does not want office, but is content to be a worker in the ranks of his party, and is an honored and respected citizen and a worthy member of a wealthy and prominent family.
CHARLES DONGES WEIRICK, a member of the Lebanon County Bar, and a well known citizen of Lebanon, was born at Myerstown, Leb- anon county, June 4, 1866. He is the son of John Henry Weirick, who was born on the old Weirick homestead a few miles from Myerstown, August 22, 1834. His father, also named John (2), was born in the same locality in 1800, and was the son of John, the son of George, who received a deed for land from Penn, on January 10, 1739, the parchment deed for this land being in our subject's possession now.
John Henry Weirick, the father, was reared on the home farm. In the early fifties he and his brother Daniel went West and took up land near the town of Sheffield, Ill., where he followed farming for a time, and then engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until the breaking out of the Civil war. On October 10, 1861, he enlisted from Illinois for three years, or during the war in Company H, Fifty-seventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, Capt. Josiah Robbins. He was promoted to third corporal December 26, 1861 ; first sergeant. August 3, 1862; second lieutenant, Au- gust 31. 1862; first lieutenant. September 29, 1862, the two latter pro- motions having been made for meritorious service at the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh), in Tennessee, the same being endorsed on his commission. For a time he was acting brigade quarter- master of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Left Wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps under General G. M. Dodge. He also served as private sec- retary to General John A. Logan. Later he was attached to the staff of General John B. McPherson, as signal service officer, having been de- tailed to that branch of the service while first lieutenant of Company H.
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He was with Gen. McPherson when that officer was killed in ambush before Atlanta, Ga. He was with the signal service department of Sherman's March to the Sea, and saw much varied service before his honorable dis- charge at Savannah, Ga., on January 4, 1865, he being at the time of his dis- charge with the Fourth Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. At the close of the war, and after an absence of eight years he returned to his old home at Myerstown, Lebanon county. Pa., and engaged in mercantile pursuits in partnership with his brother-in-law, George W. Donges, under the firm name of Donges & Weirick. In 1874 he sold out his interest in the firm to another brother-in-law, John A. Donges. He then purchased the Capt. William Tice homestead in Myerstown, where he erected a modern store building and opened business in his own name December 20, 1875. He has remained in that place ever since that date. In politics he naturally is a stalwart Republican, and he takes an active interest in all public affairs, but he has always steadfastly refused to accept a nomination to any public office.
Mr. Weirick is a member of the Military Branch of the Loyal Legion, being one of only three members of that noted society now living in Leb- anon county. He was married, in 1865, to Amelia M. Donges, who was the daughter of George Dallas Donges. Mrs. Weirick died September 30. 1866, leaving our subject as the only child. Her father, George Dallas Donges, was one of the first settlers of Myerstown. He was born in Phil- adelphia and was the son of Jacob Donges, who was born in Hohenzollern, Germany, in 1779, and his son George was named for George M. Dallas. vice-president of the United States, who acted as godfather to him. In later years, when he had grown into his teens he went from Philadelphia to Lancaster, where his grandfather had settled upon his arrival in America, along the Conestoga creek, having purchased a farm there, while his son Jacob remained in Philadelphia as head gardener to George M. Dallas, above named. He emigrated from Germany and located in Philadelphia, entering the employ of George M. Dallas. George D. Donges' father and grandfather came to America at the same time with their families. The grand- father of our subject was a tailor by trade. He was married to Henrietta Stoner, in 1828. and in the spring of 1829 he began mercantile business at Myerstown. He also was probably the first postmaster of Myers- town, Lebanon county. he having been appointed by Cave Johnson, Post- master General of the United States, February 3, 1846. Some years previ- ous to this appointment, on December 21, 1833, he was commissioned by Gov. George Wolf as second lieutenant of the "Myerstown Blues," Union Battalion of Militia of Pennsylvania. First Brigade, Sixth Division. com-
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prising the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill. He was recommended for promotion as first lieutenant August 3, 1835, and he con- tinned to interest himself in local, civil and military affairs until the time of his death. He engaged in merchandising in Myerstown, founding the business, above mentioned, now carried on by his sons, in the same building occupied by them.
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