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 67
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On December 13, 1887. Dr. Collins was married to Miss Sallie J. Kal- bach, of Myerstown, daughter of James A. and Sarah Kalbach, of this city, and two children have been born of this union : Lloyd R. and Paul O. Mrs. Collins is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living : D. C. Kalbach, of Reading, Pa .; Morgan, of Berks county ; Emma, married to C. O. Minnick, of Berks county ; Sallie J. (Mrs. Collins) : James S., D. D. S., of Philadelphia; Miss Cora, of Myerstown; and Elmer, of Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pa. The members of the Kalbach family are all well and favorably known throughout the various localities in which they make their homes.
E. R. ILLIG, owner and proprietor of the oldest mill in Lebanon county, the old limestone one of Millbach, has for nearly forty years taken a strong land in the development of local industries. He has prospered in his ven- tures, and besides his valuable mill property now owns one of the richest farms in his section.
Mr. Illig comes of a fine old Pennsylvania family, whose records date back to Andros Illig, the founder of the Pennsylvania branch. In the fall of 1727 he and his wife Dorothy sailed from Rotterdam, on the good ship
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"Mollie," and thirty days later landed in Philadelphia. Proceeding directly to the Millbach Valley, they there took out patents of large tracts of land, under the grants made by John, Thomas and Richard Penn. The original parchment of conveyance is in the hands of their descendants. Andros Illig cultivated his new land, and there made a good home for himself and family. He and his wife had two children : Leonard and Mary.
Leonard Illig continued the work upon the new homestead. He cleared up new areas, improved the property, and there carried on a successful indus- try. He married and had two children: Leonard, Jr., and a daughter, who married a Mr. Reed.
Leonard Illig, Jr., grandfather of E. R., succeeded to the family home- stead. He received good rearing, especially in the practical work of the farm. Upon reaching manhood he at once settled upon this place, and continued his agricultural pursuits. Prospering in his business he was enabled to make many improvements in the place, and there erected the splendid old limestone mansion, still in use there. During his young manhood he married Cather- ine Wechter, and they had three children: Leonard, now deceased, who never married; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Schock; and Jonathan, who is mentioned below. Mr. Illig was a man of military ability, and as a patriotic citizen served valiantly in the war of 1812. In the civil affairs of his com- munity his word also carried weight.
Jonathan Illig inherited his father's force of character, and skill in directing affairs. He was born in 1806, and on the old family homestead was trained to habits of industry and self-reliance. Upon reaching manhood he settled upon a farm in Millcreek township, and there engaged in agriculture. About 1837 he married Eliza Rambler, granddaughter of Christian Rambler, who fought in the Revolutionary war, and daughter of Christian Rambler. who was born in Heidelberg township, and in 1840 served as sheriff of Leb- anon county. Mr. and Mrs. Illig had nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Mary, who married George Seltzer, of Lebanon, Pa .; E. R .: Elizabeth, who married Capt. J. G. Batdorf, the present treasurer of Lebanon county ; Jonathan C., a prominent dry-goods merchant of Reading; Hiram L., who is now serving as recorder of Lebanon county; Andrew S., a retired farmer of Richland ; and Thomas B., in partnership with his brother Jonathan in the dry-goods business in Reading.
After his marriage Mr. Illig continued his farming upon the place in Millcreek township, where he made many improvements, and carried on a progressive and profitable industry. His well directed efforts won the respect of agriculturists in his section, and he in time became recognized as a leader
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among them. He remained upon this place for the rest of his active life, and died there in 1862. He possessed a large capacity for work and was an excel- lent manager, and won for himself a solid prosperity. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and exerted a large influence in local affairs. He was a consistent Christian, and a leading member of the Millbach Lutheran Church.
E. R. Illig was born on the family homestead about a quarter of a mile west of Millbach, February 5, 1839, and there grew to manhood. In the pub- lic schools of his vicinity he procured his early education, evincing a decided inclination for intellectual pursuits. Later he attended the Mt. Joy Acad- emy in Lancaster county, where he cultivated the higher branches. A whole- some respect for agriculture decided him upon leaving school, to turn his at- tention to that occupation, and settling in Millbach he began life for himself. On March 5, 1868. he married Amelia Zimmerman, daughter of Peter and Mary (Rex) Zimmerman, of Schaefferstown. Mrs. Illig was one of five children born to her parents, the others being: Mary, who married Jacob Rhodes, and both are deceased; Amanda, who married Dr. Alfred Bucher, deceased; Tillie, who has never married, but resides at the old homestead in Schaefferstown; and Edmund Z., a prominent minister of the Evangelical Church, who died in the State of Kansas, where he was engaged in pastoral work. To Mr. and Mrs. Illig have been born four children: Elizabeth Irene, who died in infancy ; Amelia, who married Leon E. Lewis, of Mahanoy City; John E., who is engaged in milling and lives at home; and Annie B., who is also at home.
In 1866 Mr. Illig purchased the old Millbach mill property, which was erected in 1784, and the dwelling joining it, in 1752. Both are of pure lime- stone, and among the most picturesque landmarks in the county. Here of old customers came for miles to do business, and here Mr. Illig has long car- ried on a successful industry. Perfectly square in his dealings and turning out good work, he has won a large patronage, with which he still holds. By 1873 he had made a thoroughly good start in business, and at that time purchased a fine 66-acre farm near by, an exceedingly productive tract, where in addition to milling he has since engaged in agriculture. His well-laid plans have re- sulted in abundant harvests, from which he realizes good profits. He has kept his buildings and grounds in excellent condition, has added to the per- sonal effects of the farm, and in other ways greatly improved the property. The place is now one of the most attractive and valuable farms in the vicinity.
Mr. Illig is a most loyal citizen, and a man of many virtues. As a stanch Republican he is influential in local politics. He is strictly honest, perfectly fair in his business dealings, and makes friends wherever he is known. In
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his private life he is a kind husband, and a wise father, with the best interests of his children at heart. He is highly conscientious, and perfectly abstemious in his habits. As a consistent member of the Lutheran Church he has been honored with the offices of deacon and elder, places which he has filled with marked fidelity and ability for several years.
T. B. BINNER, a successful merchant and representative citizen of Bis- marck, Lebanon county, was born April 17, 1863, in Cornwall, a son of Joseph and Annie (Donley) Binner, and since 1897 has been the leading mer- chant of this town, and for four years its popular postmaster.
Joseph Binner, the father, was born in Lancaster county, a son of John and Sarah ( Matthews) Binner, the former of whom died at Cornwall, and the latter in Bismarck, at the age of ninety-one years. Joseph Binner was an honest. upright man, and filled various local offices, serving at one time as assessor of Cornwall township. His death took place in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years, his widow still surviving, a resident of Bismarck. The six children born to Joseph Binner and wife were the following: John, a resi- dent of Lebanon; and William, Edward, Grant, Thomas B., and Frank, all residents of Bismarck.
Thomas B. Binner was reared at Cornwall and was given an excellent common-school education, leaving his books at the age of fourteen years to add to the family income. From that date until he was twenty-one, he assisted in the support of the family, industriously finding employment on farms, or at the furnaces, beginning then to clerk in the general store of H. M. Burkie & Co., at Bismarck. With this firm Mr. Binner remained until 1887, work- ing also at Lebanon in the same capacity. In 1897 Mr. Binner embarked in the business for himself, purchasing the stock and good-will of C. N. Shuck, of Bismarck, since which time he has steadily progressed, enlarged and ex- panded, until at the present, he not only has a most prosperous trade, but owns one of the best lines of merchandise in the county, a tastefully fitted store and a constantly growing patronage.
In 1886 Mr. Binner was married to Miss Fannie S. Bowman, daughter of John W. and Sarah ( Smith ) Bowman, born June 29. 1867, at Bismarck, and the four children born to this union were: Marvin B., Elizabeth I., Walter D. and J. Stetman. John W. Bowman was born in Cornwall town- ship, Lebanon county, a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Snavely) Bowman, the former of whom was a native of Cornwall township and a prominent farmer of the county, dying at the age of fifty-four years. Henry Bowman and wife were leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John Snavely,
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the great-grandfather of Mrs. Binner, lived on a farm east of Bismarck, and was a most esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his home being the stopping-place for the itinerant ministers, who held services there previous to the building of a house of worship. John Snavely married (first ) Lizzie Geiseman, and (second) Nancy Yost. The father of Mrs. Binner died December 27, 1892, at the age of forty-eight years, having been a merchant in the grocery line, at Lancaster, for a number of years. Mr. Bowman was a very intelligent man, having had an academic training at Witmer's Academy, at Palmyra, and for five years was a successful teacher both in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties. For two years he conducted the "Washington Hotel" at Mt. Joy, returned then to Lebanon county and engaged in farming until lo- cating at Lancaster. In Lebanon county he married the daughter of William and Veronica (Bowman) Smith, born in 1843, in Cornwall township, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Binner. She was the mother of three chil- dren : Fannie S., Mrs. Binner; Emma, the wife of Albert Bill, of Harris- burg ; and Walter, a machinist of Harrisburg.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Binner are active members of the Cornwall Methodist Church, the latter having served as secretary of the Ladies Aid Society for six years, and being one of the leaders in its charitable and benevolent work. The children are all interested and useful members of the Epworth League. Fraternally, Mr. Binner belongs to the P. O. S. A., No. 70, of Cornwall. He is a most valuable citizen and enjoys the universal esteem of the community.
CHARLES H. GEORGE, the most extensive wholesale fruit dealer in Lebanon is a native of Italy, born at Montecorvino, Rovella, September 28, 1862. He came to the United States in 1885, landing at New York City, whence he journeyed to Wilmington, Del., where he remained two and a half years in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He afterward went to Winchester, Pa., and for four months worked in a fruit stand. He made a great success in the business, taking hold of it when it was in poor shape, and in the course of only four months placed the business on a paying basis and increased the receipts to a point in excess of any time the store had been open. In 1888 Mr. George came to Lebanon, and worked for a few weeks at the fruit stand on the corner of Eighth and Cumberland streets. Not being satisfied he again returned to Westchester. In May of the same year, how- ever, he returned to Lebanon and purchased a one-fourth interest in the fruit stand at Eighth and Cumberland streets. Before the end of the year he owned the entire stand and business, for which he paid upwards of $700. This he sold out at a great sacrifice, as he would not submit to the extortion
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attempted by the landlord in the matter of rental. In May, 1889, he leased a business stand on North Ninth street, between the tracks of the Philadelphia & Reading and Cornwall & Lebanon railroads, the site of the present stand. and began business in one room. 14 x14 feet. From year to year, as his busi- ness increased he has enlarged his floor space, until he now has a 30-foot frontage, with 34 feet deep. Until the spring of 1902 he used the premises for living purposes, also, but having purchased and remodeled his present handsome brick residence on North Ninth street, he has since that time re- sided there. Mr. George also owns several other desirable pieces of improved real estate in the city, and is rapidly forging to the front as one of the leading business men. The secret of our subject's almost phenomenal success is his tireless devotion to the most minute details of his business, which he under- stands in all its varied branches. He has also an instinctive knowledge of men and is never caught napping on any deal he may make. The married life of our subject began in 1889, when he was joined to Miss Louisa Smith. a native of Lebanon, born July 2. 1868, daughter of Darius Smith. One sturdy little son has blessed this union, Raymond, born February 10, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. George have also an adopted daughter, Agnes, who was born February 7. 1884. Mr. and Mrs. George are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, and are much respected in the community in which they reside.
WILLIAM F. HULL, proprietor and owner of Hull's "Mountain Hotel," long known as "Kack's Tavern," which is located midway between Lebanon and Manheim, on the line between Lebanon and Lancaster counties, is one of the popular and well-known citizens of Cornwall township. This hotel is one of the oldest hostelries in this part of the country. being estab- lished in 1812.
Mr. Hull comes of an old family of this part of Pennsylvania, his grand- father. William C. Hull, a native of Ireland. being the founder. Locating at Lancaster, Pa., William C. Hull opened a hotel on the site of the present Northern Market House, and he also operated a stage line between Phila- delphia and Harrisburg. Mr. Hull was a man of many enterprises and most progressive for his day. He was the first liveryman to own and drive his hearse. operating a successful livery business with his hotel, for many years. His attention was also given to the buying and selling of stock, and he fre- quently drove cattle to Philadelphia. In all these enterprises he was very suc- cessful, possessing a true business faculty. His wife was no less capable. She often related how she was the first female passenger on the old horse car
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and first steam coach route between Lancaster and Columbia. After the death of her husband she operated a millinery business, first on North Queen street and later on West King street, Lancaster, and lived esteemed and respected to the age of seventy-two years. The grandfather died at the old "Globe Hotel" at Lancaster, Pa., of which he was proprietor at that time and had many warm friends. In politics he was an ardent Whig. His two children were: John and Mary, the former of whom became the father of William F. Hull, and the latter is Mrs. John Hedrick, of West Walnut street, Lancas- ter. John Hull also resides in Lancaster, living retired, at No. 813 Manor street, a cigar-maker by trade. For forty years he followed that trade in Lancaster city and county. Mr. Hull served through two enlistments during the Civil War, being discharged finally on account of disability. Through life he has been an active worker for the Republican party, and has served with efficiency several times on the city council. His marriage was to Sarah Shay, a native of Lancaster and four children were born to this union, namely : William F .; Harry C., a printer in Chicago; and Mary and Bertha, at home.
William F. Hull was born April 1, 1861, in Lancaster, and was there educated in the common schools. With his father he learned the trade of cigar-maker, and then entered the employ of Joseph Royer, and with him learned the confectioner's trade during his stay of two years. Still anxious to learn, Mr. Hull then entered the employ of Marshall Rengier, in the hard- ware business and remained with this house for twenty-two years. When the firm entered the wholesale trade, Mr. Hull was its traveling representative for eight years, a trusted and valued employe. Failing health caused him to sever these pleasant business ties, and he then purchased the hotel property on account of its desirable location. That the pure ozone of the hills has had a beneficial result, Mr. Hull calls attention to his present robust state of health, the time of his residence being but three years. This old inn, placed in so romantic and beautiful a spot, has been remodeled and modernized until it is one of the most desirable, as well as sanitary, stopping places in either of the counties which it overlooks. Mr. Hull is a typical host, pleasant, genial, accommodating and resourceful, and he is making a name for his house. If guests once, they hasten to return, and his patronage is constantly and justi- fiably on the increase. He is ably assisted by the housewifery skill of his estimable wife. Mr. Hull owns also one thousand acres of land located one and one-quarter miles only from Mt. Hope station, and two miles from Cold Spring. on the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad, which he proposes to sell for the erection of summer homes, the spot being ideal.
Mr. Hull was married, in 1883, to Miss Barbara A. Glasier, daughter of
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Henry and Barbara Glasier, born in 1864. The two children of this union are John H. and Florence M. Both Mr. Hull and wife belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he belongs to Monterey Lodge, No. 242, I. O. O. F., and Ridgely Encampment, No. 217.
D. H. BEHNY (deceased) was one of the leading and successful hotel men of Lebanon. He was born in Lebanon September 20. 1856, and died January 13, 1900. He was a son of David and Rosannah Behny, deceased. David Behny was a hotel-keeper and horse dealer. He was the father of five children : William H., of Lebanon; David H .; Alice, the wife of Simon Karch, of Brooklyn, N. Y .: Catherine, the wife of Benjamin Altendefer; Rosa, the wife of William L. Molley, of Lebanon.
David H. Behny was reared in Lebanon and received his education in the common schools. When a boy he helped his father around the hotel, and a few years later went into the hotel business for himself, and was the proprietor of the "West Lebanon Hotel" at the time of his death, also own- ing the "Red Lion Hotel" at Mt. Joy, Pa. He was a stanch Republican and in religious views held to the Lutheran faith. He came from the old Behny family of Lebanon county.
In 1893 Mr. Behny married Mrs. Phoebe E. Good, of Philadelphia, the widow of J. P. Good, of that city. Her maiden name was McFadden, and she was a daughter of Charles and Anna J. McFadden, of Philadelphia, residing at Mt. Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa. Mr. McFadden is a carriage maker by trade. He is the father of two children : H. W. McFadden, and Mrs. D. H. Behny. Her grandfather, Israel McFadden, was one of the old settlers of Lancaster county, and his ancestors came from Ireland. By her first marriage Mrs. Behny had one child, a daughter. Helen A., and by her marriage with Mr. Behny, she had a son, David Charles, deceased. The widow of our subject took charge of the "West Lebanon Hotel" after his death, and is successful in its management. She conducts a first class house and is a good business woman.
GEORGE R. DEFFENBAUGH, the popular proprietor of the "Avon Inn," at Avon, Lebanon county, is a native of Cambria county, Pa., where he was born March 20, 1865. a son of Sylvester and Sarah Ann ( Boyles) Deffenbaugh, both natives of Johnstown, Cambria county, the latter dying 111 1901.
The father, Sylvester Deffenbaugh, is a retired mechanic of Dunkers- ville, Blair Co., Pa., and during his active business life. was a mechanic in
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the rolling mills. Sylvester is a son of Adam and Frances Deffenbaugh. Adam also being a mechanic. George R. is one of a family of fifteen children born to his parents, as follows: George R .; twins, deceased: Adam, killed in a rolling mill: Mary, married to John Trotter: Edward, a machinist at Mckees Rocks. Pa .: John. deceased: Anna May: James, at home; and six who died in infancy.
George R. Deffenbaugh was reared in Altoona, Blair Co., Pa .. where he received a limited education in the public schools. When but eleven years of age. he began to work in the rolling mills, in the lowest capacity. and for twenty-two years followed that calling until he reached the top, and attained remarkable success through his perseverance and industry. In 1895 he located at Lebanon. and for three years worked in the rolling mills in that city, but in December. 1898. he took charge of the "Avon Inn." In 1900 he purchased the property, which includes five acres of land and a general store. Mr. Deffenbaugh has improved this property considerably. and his hotel of six- teen rooms. is one of the best in the county. The hotel is pleasantly situated, and is recognized as a desirable place of entertainment.
On May 21, 1894, Mr. Deffenbaugh was married to Miss Minnie Hys- song, of Blair county, a most charming and intelligent lady, and a worthy wife to so excellent a man as Mr. Deffenbaugh. In addition to his other in- terests. Mr. Deffenbaugh is a stockholder of the Lebanon Valley Fair Asso- ciation. in the success of which he takes a deep interest. Fraternally, he is connected with the Jr. O. U. A. M., in which he is deservedly popular. Pub- lic-spirited, genial. broad-minded. Mr. Deffenbaugh is a representative man of his community, and one who is highly esteemed by the people at large. as well as by his personal friends.
JACOB K. DUNDORE, one of the representative citizens of South Lebanon township, Lebanon county, descends from an old settled family of this section of the State. The founder of the family in America was Jacob K. Dundore. the great-great-grandfather of the present Jacob K., and he was born in the Rhine country. July 25. 1720, either in France or Germany, possibly in either Alsace or Lorraine. As he used the German language. it is inferred that his native country was one of the German provinces. He came to the New World prior to 1749. as the first record of him here is in that year. when he was in the neighborhood of the Host Church in Tulpe- hocken township, Berks county (then Lancaster county). His wife, Anna Maria, he married just prior, or just after. coming to America, and they accumulated a large property. This he most justly arranged by will for the
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welfare of his companion who had proved so faithful a helpmate. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters, namely : Maria Catherine, born March 19, 1749: Susannah; Jolin, born March 20, 1751, died October 14, 1823: Michael, born December 4, 1754: John Jacob, born March 19, 1756, died September 22, 1821; David, born July 21, 1758; Catherine Elizabeth; and an infant son. The mother died either in 1793 or 1794.
John Dundore, son of Jacob K., married Catherine Geiss, born Decem- ber 23, 1753, and died June 12, 1827. Both John and wife were buried in Bern church yard. They had a family of nine children, namely : John Jacob, born August 13, 1776, died October 23, 1861 : John Adam, born August 2, 1778, died June 17, 1850: John, born June 30, 1780, died April 14, 1858: Catherine, born November 24, 1782, died January 17, 1840. the wife of Jacob Miesse; Frederick, born April 30, 1786, died August 30. 1864: John George, born October 6, 1788. died December 24, 1803: Philip, born Feb- ruary 28, 1791, resided in Illinois, and died October 5, 1867; Christian, born June 6, 1793. died October 1I, 1872; and Elizabeth, born March 10, 1794, married Daniel Miesse, and died about 1867. All the family except Philip and Christian, made their homes in Berks county.
Christian Dundore, son of John and the grandfather of Jacob K., mar- ried (first) Margaretta Grust, born August 12, 1781, who died October 3. 1837, and (second) Magdalena Sunday, born April 14, 1793. who died August 23, 1874, in Lebanon county. The children of the first marriage were : Jonathan, born October 14, 1814. died in South Lebanon township in February. 1899; Elias, born October 14, 1816; Emanuel, born January 19, 1818, died December 20, 1895: Elizabeth, born November 3, 1819, died in 1902, the widow of Michael Hassler; Joel, born February 16, 1825, died in South Lebanon township, in 1898. Christian Dundore was a farmer in South Lebanon township, and was counted one of the wealthy men of his day. He owned 300 acres of land, which was a tract of great value. Mr. Dundore contributed liberally to the erection of the Iona Union Church, and both he and wives are buried in the vicinity. For a long period he was a leading member of the United Brethren congregation.
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