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 66
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Returning to the subject of this sketch, we have already seen that his mother died while he was an infant. He was reared by his maternal grand- parents. He attended the public schools and on April 16, 1872, entered as a student the school of George Phillips at 'Myerstown; he attended the pub- lic schools until May 10, 1879, when he entered his father's store. In Sep- tember. 1884, he matriculated at Palatinate College, Myerstown, from which he was graduated June 16, 1887. In the fall of the same year he entered Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and graduated June 19, 1890. Three years later on June 15, 1893, he took the degree of A. M. in course. While attending Palatinate College he was one of the reorganizers of the college literary society which had been almost dormant. The class of 1890 at Franklin and Marshall revolutionized the outdoor sports and athletics, and Mr. Weirick took an active part in effecting the change. He was assist- ant business manager of the College Student, the official college paper of Franklin and Marshall, and afterward served as business manager of the same paper from June, 1888, to June, 1889, making it a financial success. He was an active member of the Goethean Literary Society of Franklin and Marshall College, and in fact in every department of college life he took an active interest and was a progressive student. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Wei- rick entered the law office of Howard C. Shirk, one of the leading attorneys of Lebanon, where he pursued his legal studies until he was admitted to the Bar June 5, 1893. Shortly after his admission he began practicing in the various courts of Lebanon county. On February 18, 1901, he was ad- mitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Mr. Weirick assisted in the organization of the "Lebanon Rifles" in 1894. He enlisted as a musician and served as company clerk and as sec- retary to the captain. M. J. FitzGerald, U. S. A .. retired. In July, 1896, the "Lebanon Rifles" was mustered into the Pennsylvania National Guard, as Company H. Fourth Regiment. At the first encampment of the regi- ment Mr. Weirick was made sergeant major of Gen. J. P. S. Gobin's Third Brigade Staff, and passed through the Hazleton ( Pa.) riots and made vari- ous trips with the brigade, serving as sergeant major until the disintegra- tion of the staff during the Spanish-American war. Mr. Weirick has for
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some time been a wheelman; he was one of the organizers (meeting in his law offices) of the Delta Wheelman Club, and is a charter member of the Lebanon Cycle Club (also having its early meetings for organization in his law offices ), which is at present one of the most prominent social organizations in Lebanon. He has served as financial secretary to this club since its organization, February 19, 1896, and on one occasion went as a delegate to the State League of American Wheelmen. From 1890 to 1893 he was counsel for the League of American Wheelmen. He is also one of the organizers, a charter member and at present librarian of the Lebanon County Historical Society. Since 1901 he has been deputy coroner of Lebanon county. He has been a member of the Lebanon County Bar Association since 1894. He is not only an active member in these various organizations, but is also a very prominent Mason. He is secretary of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, F. & A. M .; secretary of Weidel Chapter, No. 197. R. A. M .; recorder of Lebanon Council. No. 27. R. & S. M. Masons ; and recorder of Hermit Commandery, No. 24, K. T .; a member of Harrisburg Consistory, Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite; and of Lulu Temple, in Philadelphia, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
JOHN A. HOLLAND. One of the best known men of the Fourth ward. Lebanon, Pa., is the genial proprietor of the "Holland House." at Nos. 203-209 North Eighth street, and he was born in Lebanon, on the corner of Ninth and Church streets, in the Sixth ward. August 13. 1857. son of Mark and Catherine ( Haverty) Holland.
Mark Holland was born at Minemore, Galway, Ireland. in 1818, and his wife was born in the same locality in 1828. The former died in 1876, and the latter in 1899. Both were consistent members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. In 1836 the parents came to this country, settling in Lebanon the same year. To them were born ten children, only two of whom are now living : Mary, wife of Mike Reily, of Philadelphia, and John A.
John A. was reared in Lebanon, receiving his education in the excellent public schools of that city, and when yet a boy began his business career as a water carrier to the workmen constructing the Pine Grove Railroad. His next position was in a pipe mill and after that worked in various capacities until August 26, 1876, when he became a brakeman on the Philadelphia & Reading Railway. In 1882 he went west to Colorado, and remained one year, returning to Lebanon at the expiration of that time, and entering the employ of the Cornwall & Lebanon Railway Company. as conductor, between Lebanon and Conewago. After three years' faithful service in this position,
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Mr. Holland went as conductor on the old Cornwall & Lebanon Railway for a year, and then commenced contracting for railroad grade work, which he pursued until 1897.
At that time Mr. Holland purchased the "Hoffman House," which he renamed the "Holland House," and refitted throughout. Here he conducts a first-class hotel, which is liberally patronized by the traveling public as well as a large home trade, and is well deserving of its good name for hospitality.
Mr. Holland was married January 25, 1884. to Ellen Dore, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., in 1861. daughter of Patrick Dore. Nine children have been born of this union : Catherine, deceased: James. deceased : John : Thomas ; Daniel; Mark, who was killed by a trolley car. October 16, 1900: Francis; and Paul and Joseph, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Holland are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Holland is a member of St. Patrick's Beneficial Society. Fraternally he is a member of the Fireman's Aid Society and Knights of Fidelity. In politics he is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party, and upholds them in local and national matters.
HON. WILLIAM J. NOLL, the popular postmaster of Myerstown, Pa., and a most public-spirited and enterprising citizen of Lebanon county, belongs to a family of old established honorable reputation. He was born in Myers- town. September 3. 1873, a son of Joseph M. and Mary E. ( Kemmerer ) Noll. of Jackson township.
Samuel Noll, the grandfather of William J., was a millwright by trade. and this business he followed in Lebanon county, where he reared a family of four sons, namely: Frank, who is a blacksmith in this city: James M., who died from wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg while a soldier in the Civil war; Samuel M., of Newmanstown. Pa .. engaged in a tailoring business. and Joseph MI., who was the father of Postmaster Noll.
Joseph M. Noll was born November 15. 1846, and died September I. 1891. his widow still surviving him. They had a family of six children born to them, as follows: John F., who is a wholesale seed dealer in Newark. N. J. : Miss Bertha K., of Myerstown; Charles K., who is a salesman in Reading : Robert J., who is a salesman of Newark ; Edwin R., a salesman of Myerstown; and William J., who is the third member of the family in order of birth. Joseph M. Noll learned the blacksmith trade, and followed the same from the age of fourteen years until his death. in this city. and was known as a most reliable workman in this locality. He was a plain. practical, hard-working man, whose word was as good as his bond, and one who enjoyed the respect of
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all who knew him. For many years he was a member of the United Evan- gelical Church. In politics he was an earnest supporter of the Republican party.
Postmaster William J. Noll, in spite of his youth, has occupied a promi- nent position for a number of years, being a man of far more than average ability. His education was acquired in the public schools and Palatinate College, and his fourteenth birthday found him a clerk in one of the business houses of his native village. Application enabled him to fit himself during this time for a teacher's certificate, and the succeeding five years were spent in teaching school, and he also engaged in doing special work for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and in getting acquainted through the county. Always a zealous Republican, his thoughts early trended toward political life, and in many ways he is eminently qualified for rewards given by his party for faithful service. For four years he occupied a leading position on the Myerstown Enterprise, serving as editor for one year, and in February, 1898, he was appointed, by the late lamented President McKinley, as post- master of this town, and reappointed by President Roosevelt in 1903, a position he has filled to the satisfaction of its patrons. As an orator Mr. Noll is highly regarded in Lebanon county and he has been called upon in several campaigns and on occasions to speak and lecture upon various themes. He has been prominently identified with secret society work, and was the president of the P. O. S. of A. of Pennsylvania and one of the active State members; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 112; Lebanon Valley Commandery, No. 5 ; Lebanon Lodge, No. 631, B. P. O. E. ; the Keystone Hook and Ladder Co., of Myerstown; and of the Pennsylvania German Society.
In February, 1896, Mr. Noll was united in marriage with Miss Rachel R. Woolison, daughter of William and Rosanna ( Haines) Woolison, of Myerstown, and the four children of this union are: Katherine, Emily. Sarah and Henrietta. Mrs. Noll has one sister, Mrs. Susan Painter, who is assistant postmaster at Myerstown. Mr. Noll and family represent some of the leading elements in Myerstown. For a number of years they have been prominent in the religions, educational and social life of this community.
WILLIAM J. BOWMAN, one of the successful farmers and leading citizens of Swatara township, Lebanon county, was born on the old home- stead. in North Lebanon township. September 9. 1861. son of William Bowman. His early life was spent upon the homestead farm, and he received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. When twenty years of age he began farming for himself on his present property, pleasantly siti-
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ated five miles north of Lebanon city, which comprises ninety-one acres of as good land as there is to be found in the county, on which he carries on general farming. Being one of the energetic public-spirited men of the county, he takes an active part in local matters, has served as inspector, and is now serving his second term as jury commissioner of Lebanon county, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat.
On November 13, 1881, Mr. Bowman was married to Lizzie Light. daughter of Hiram N. and Mariah ( Kreider ) Light, born at Bunker Hill. Swatara township, April 4, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have three sons : Francis, a machinist of Lebanon ; Andrew A .; and Robert C. All the mem- bers of the family are connected with St. Mary's Catholic Church of Leba- non. Mr. Bowman belongs to an old and highly respected family of Lebanon county, as does also his wife, and their children are excellent representatives of both sides, and of the best interests of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have many friends throughout the county, and are enjoying life surrounded by the comforts their efforts have provided.
NATHAN H. ROYER, one of the leading and flourishing citizens of Richland, Millcreek township, Lebanon Co., Pa., was born at Crosskill Mills, Berks Co., Pa .. February 27, 1861, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Hertzler) Royer, of Richland, Pa., born in 1820 and 1830, respectively.
Daniel Royer was a son of Samuel Royer, who lived in Jackson town- ship. near Royer's meeting house, which took its name from him. The Royer family came from Lancaster county, Pa., the first of the name in this country coming to that county from Germany, settling there about 1815. and from whom our subject is a direct descendant. This ancestor, Sebastian Royer by name, was the father of Samuel, and the latter was a leading farmer and the father of eight children that grew to maturity: Sam- tel : Joel: Christian : Benjamin; Daniel: Catherine, who married A. Geib: Mary, who married a Mr. Bollinger: Annie, who also married a Bol- linger. All are now deceased except Daniel, the father of our subject. The latter became the father of six children, four of whom grew to manhood : Clementine married Samuel Hostetter of Richland: Aaron H. lives in Lan- caster county : Nathan H. ; and Daniel resides at Richland, a farmer. The father is a retired farmer: and both he and his wife are consistent members of the German Baptist Church, having been connected with that body for many years.
Nathan H. Royer was brought by his parents from Berks county to Myerstown when only seven weeks old. and there the family remained until
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he was three years old, at which time they located in Richland. In that locality he grew to manhood, attending the public schools, and following the life of a farmer until he was twenty years of age. Leaving the farm, he learned the trade of a painter, and has since then been engaged in that line, meeting with excellent success. Mr. Royer is one of the leading painters of this portion of the county, and has executed a number of orders which reflect credit upon his skill. He is the owner of a pleasant home, and has earned it all through his own unaided efforts.
On February 16, 1889, he married Lizzie Nissley, of Millcreek town- ship, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Zug) Nissley, of the same locality. Mr. Nissley is a prominent farmer and an elder in the German Baptist Church. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Royer, Elva M., and Paul H. and Harvey P. (twins). In politics Mr. Royer is a stanch Republican, and takes an interest in local affairs, although he does not desire office. In his religious opinions he is independent, following the dictates of his conscience rather than any creed. Honorable in his dealings, pleasant in manner, Mr. Royer has made many friends in his neighborhood, and numbers among his customers the leading people of Richland and the sur- rounding country.
EDWARD HARRY GINGRICH, M. D., one of the efficient and suc- cessful physicians and surgeons of Lebanon, Pa .. is a native of that city, hav- ing been born there August 10, 1866, son of Louis and Amanda ( Trostle) Gingrich.
Henry Gingrich, his grandfather, was a native of Lebanon, but the ear- liest records of this family show representatives settled in Lancaster county, Pa., whence removals were made to Lebanon county. The father, Louis Gingrich, was a native of Lebanon, while his wife was born in Marion, Ohio, and both are now residents of Philadelphia.
Edward Harry Gingrich was reared in Lebanon and in Philadelphia, and received his early education in the public schools, and at Lebanon Acad- emy. After finishing his course at the latter school, Dr. Gingrich entered a drug store in Lebanon, where he remained for three years, and then enrolled himself in the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, graduating in 1887. The attention of Dr. Gingrich was naturally called to the advantages to be ob- tained as a traveling salesman in his line, and he entered the employ of C. L. Mitchell & Co. and William H. Horn & Bro., in this capacity, his route cov- ering Canada, New England and west as far as Denver, Colo. During one of his trips to Lebanon. Dr. Gingrich purchased the drug store of Frank R.
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Pershing, at No. 521 Cumberland street, and for three years successfully con- ducted that business. At the expiration of that period, Dr. Gingrich sold his drug store and went upon the road for the drug house of William R. Warner & Co. For two years, he devoted his entire time to traveling for his house but the remaining three years were divided between it and the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where his winters were spent. In the class of 1895, Dr. Gingrich was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and then combined his work upon the road for Warner & Co., with the establishment of a medical journal in Philadel- phia, known as The Monthly Retrospect of Medicine and Pharmacy, a paper of wide circulation among the profession, and which is still conducted by Dr. Gingrich.
In 1896 he returned to Lebanon, and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession with marked success, he being honored for his ability, and has since made this city his home. In April, 1897, Dr. Gingrich was appointed health officer of the city of Lebanon, which office he still retains, giving the people a con- scientious and efficient service. Dr. Gingrich has served as ambulance physi- cian of the Good Samaritan Hospital since 1897, and is also connected with the dispensary of that hospital. In addition, he is also physician for several large local corporations and medical examiner for numerous leading life in- surance companies. For several years, he has represented Warner & Co., at the meetings of the American Medical Association, and at the meetings of the State Medical Associations of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gingrich was married September 18, 1888, to Evaline Blanche Brobst, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
JAMES BURKEY. From a childhood in which was poverty and in- cessant toil, James Burkey, engaged in the lime and quarry business in Leb- anon, has evolved a comfortable and pleasant home for his wife and chil- dren, as well as a name above reproach as a capable and industrious business man. Of German extraction, he is a native son of Lebanon county, and was born October 3, 1856, son of Samuel and Susan (Swangner) Burkey, natives of Lebanon county, and now deceased. Samuel Burkey was a hard worker all his life, but he was not a money maker, and his children were obliged to shift for themselves at an early age. To himself and wife were born the following children : James ; Emma, the wife of John Hosler; Mary, the wife of Henry Dague; Daniel, of Prescott, Pa .; Sally, wife of Levi Der- wichter ; William, of Lebanon county: Annie, unmarried: Alice, the wife of Calvin Nagle; and other children deceased.
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In his youth James Burkey worked from dawn to sunset at farm work and so arduous were his duties that education played but a small part in his early calculations. His prospects brightened perceptibly when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade at the age of eighteen, an occupation to which he applied himself for the following twenty years in Lebanon and other towns in the county. Frugal and thrifty, he managed to save considerable money over and above his expenses, and in 1900 retired from blacksmithing and in the spring of 1902, bought out the quarry and lime business of Michael Millard. He has already a fair start in his new enterprise, and, judging from his success in the past, it is reasonable to suppose that his business judg- ment will continue to reap its just reward. His whole life has been a struggle upward from a discouraging beginning, and he attributes his success to con- centration, indefatigable energy and strict economy. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican, with a strong leaning towards the best man regardless of party.
The wife of Mr. Burkey was formerly Mary, daughter of William Leightes, who is also the father of the following children: George, John, William, Ellen and Rebecca. To Mr. and Mrs. Burkey have been born six children, Sally, William. Charley, Norah. Samuel and Walter.
JAMES F. PEIFFER, one of the enterprising and thrifty young farmers of Jackson township, residing on his fine farm located two miles north of Myerstown, was born February 25. 1862, in Berks county, son of J. S. and Mary (Slessman) Peiffer of Tulpehocken township, Berks county.
Philip Peiffer, the grandfather of James F., was a son of Philip Peiffer, a German, who founded the family in this part of the State, and who was born previous to the Revolutionary War, making this one of the oldest families of this section of Pennsylvania. Philip had three sons : Henry. John S. and Philip. John S. Peiffer was born in Berks county in 1832. and died in 1894, in Lebanon county, having moved to Jackson township in 1875. Here he became a leading farmer and owned a large tract of land along the Berks county line, and took so active an interest in public affairs that he was called upon to serve in many positions of responsibility. being at different times school director and holder of other local offices. For a number of years he was a director of the Countryman's Fire Insurance Company, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. In politics he was a Repub- lican. He was one of the liberal and active members of the Tulpehocken Reformed Church, serving during many years as trustee, deacon and elder.
Mrs. Peiffer still survives, a beloved member of the family of her
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daughter, Mrs. Troutman, the mother of children, as follows : Emma, wife of Henry Lutz; Miss Clara I., of Marion; James F .; Clayton, a prominent farmer of the township; and Nora, the wife of Calvin Troutman, of Berks county.
James F. Peiffer has been interested in farming since boyhood, and as soon as his common school education was secured, he began operations and is now the fortunate owner and very competent manager of a fine farm of one hundred acres. This place Mr. Peiffer has placed under excellent culti- vation and his comfortable residence and substantial buildings of all kinds, testify to his thrift and excellent management.
In 1889 Mr. Peiffer was married to Miss Emma Katterman, of Berks county, one of a family of five living children born to Isaac and Caroline (Walborn) Katterman. namely: Katherine, widow of Benjamin Klopp; Albert, of Berks county; George, of Washington; Miss Kate; and Emma, Mrs. Peiffer. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peiffer, viz. : Warren, Mabel, Jolin, Florence and Blanche. Like his esteemed father, Mr. Peiffer is identified with the Republican party, and with his family he is connected religiously with the Tulpehocken Reformed Church. Mr. Peiffer is a man of stability of character, a good neighbor, kind husband and father and a most estimable citizen.
MILTON J. COLLINS, V. S., a prominent representative of his pro- fession in this county, and a leading citizen of Myerstown. conveniently located at III South Railroad street, was born at Obold, Berks Co., Pa., July 1, 1858. a son of Owen E. and Hannah ( Fahrenbach) Collins, of that town.
Owen E. Collins was born in Chester county, Pa., and was a veterinary surgeon. He was the son of Andrew Collins, of Chester county, of English origin, and a Baptist minister by profession. His children were: Owen E., John, Sarah, Marialı and Newton, all deceased except John Collins of Chester county. The father of Andrew Collins came from Wales and settled in Chester county at an early day. Owen E. Collins, father of Dr. M. J. Collins, was the father of seven children : Milton J. ; Miss Ida M., of Asbury Park, N. J .; Charles O., also a veterinary surgeon. of West Leesport, Berks Co., Pa .; Miss Sallie. of Asbury Park, N. J .; Horace, with the Armour Packing Company, of Kansas City, Mo., also a veterinary surgeon; Alice, married to Milton Stump of Berks county ; Abner H., unmarried. a clerk at Bridgeport, Conn. Owen E. Collins was one of the highly respected men of Berks county, and a veterinary surgeon for twenty-five years. In politics,
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he was a stanch Democrat, and his religious views made him a member of the Reformed Church.
Milton J. Collins was reared at Mount Pleasant, Berks county, where he received his early education. After studying under his father, he grad- uated, February 14, 1877, from the old Veterinary College at Philadelphia, Pa., after which he went to Obold, Berks county, and followed his callling for ten years, when he located in Myerstown, since which time he has firmly established himself in the confidence of the people of this county, and demon- strated his ability and skill. That success has crowned his efforts, Dr. Collins attributes to the fact that he has ever endeavored to increase his store of knowledge and has never relaxed his determination thoroughly to understand his patients, which he contends have as much feeling and oftentimes more intelligence than human ones. Being thoroughly in sympathy with them. he can accomplish wonders and is decidedly one of the leading members of his profession in the entire county. Dr. Collins is very prominent in the Reformed Church, of which he was deacon, and has served as superintendent of a Sunday School. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 358 Myers- town, and the Jr. O. U. A. M., Council No. 941, Myerstown. Profession- ally, Dr. Collins is a member of the Veterinary Medical Association, and was county secretary for ten years.
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