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 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Mr. Light married Miss Flora Gabble, of Heidelberg township, daughter of John F. and Clara ( Bennetch) Gabble, of Waldeck, Heidelberg township. and five children have been born to this union, namely : Myra, Adin G., Alin C. Warren G., and John G. Both he and wife belong to the Lutheran Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday School. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Light is held in very high regard in Schaefferstown, both as an educator and as a citizen. In official life he is just and impartial, in the school-room scholarly and helpful, while in private life he comes up to the highest ideal of husband and father.
HIRAM G. NEWGARD, one of the leading farmers of South Annville township, Lebanon county, residing on the Horseshoe turnpike road, four miles south of Annville, was born on a farm, near the Lancaster county line, in South Londonderry township, Lebanon county. January 26, 1862.
The parents of Hiram G. Newgard were Joseph B. and Elizabeth (Gantz) Newgard, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county about 1834, a son of Lawrence Newgard, who was a native of Germany, who came to America and settled in Lancaster county. By trade he was a carpenter. and this was his business through life. His children were: Joseph B. ; Kate. the wife of George Grenier, of Lancaster county ; Eliza, the widow of Samuel Groff, of Lancaster county; and Samuel, of Lebanon county, near the Lan- caster line.
Joseph B. Newgard was a farmer who moved to Lebanon county in 1862, and engaged in farming near the Lancaster line, returning to Lebanon in 1872. In 1889 he removed into Lancaster county, where he bought a
634
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
farm in Mt. Joy township, and lived upon it until his death, which occurred in 1896. His wife, Elizabeth Gantz, was born in 1832, in Lancaster county, and died in 1894. They had the following children born to them: Hiram G .; Aaron, deceased; and Amos, a farmer in Lancaster county. Both parents were consistent members of the Reformed Church.
Hiram G. Newgard was reared both in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, and attended the public schools at Fontana. When he started out for him- self, at the age of twenty-one years, he worked as a day laborer. In 1892 he took charge of the John Westenberger farm, and has demonstrated his excellent methods of agriculture, this being one of the most carefully operated farms in the township.
On October 1, 1881, Mr. Newgard was married to Anna Mary Hartz, who was born in the house which is the family home, June 5, 1861, a daugh- ter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Westenberger) Hartz, of South Annville town- ship. Two children have been born to this union, namely : Joseph M .. born September 21. 1883, was educated in the common schools, spent two sessions at the Annville Normal school, and then went to the Millersville Normal school where he graduated June 27, 1902, and has been engaged as a teacher in South Londonderry township: and John Henry, born July 25. 1888, died in March, 1889. Mr. Newgard is a member of the Reformed Church, and is a progressive, public-spirited man, with broad and liberal views. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and has been prominent in local affairs, and has served as inspector of elections.
AARON A. DISSINGER, the popular host of the East Lebanon Hotel, at Lebanon, Pa., is a native of this county, born April 27, 1873, at Rexmont, in South Lebanon township, son of Cyrus W. and Catherine (Yingst) Dis- singer.
Cyrus W. Dissinger was born and reared in Heidelberg township. and died in 1899, at the age of sixty-nine years. His whole life was passed as a farmer, first in his native, and later in South Lebanon, township, where he became well known for his public-spirit and many estimable qualities. For some time he served the township as assessor. His father. Michael Dis- singer, was one of the old and respected citizens of the county. The mother of Aaron A. Dissinger still survives, a resident of Rexmont. The seven children born to Cyrus W. and Catherine (Yingst) Dissinger were: Sarah, widow of Joseph Smith, resides in Lebanon Independent District; Mary is the wife of Jolin Kuntz, of Elizabeth, N. J .: Michael is in the furniture bus- iness in Lebanon ; Katie, deceased, was the wife of David Brightbill. of Leb-
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 635
anon; Miss Millie is a resident of Lebanon; Aaron A .; and Amanda is the wife of Oscar Mench, of North Lebanon township.
Aaron A. Dissinger remained at his home in Rexmont where he con- tinued at school until he was fourteen years old, coming then to Lebanon, and since that time, with the exception of two years, has been more or less interested in the hotel business. In February, 1897, he began his successful business career at the place he still occupies, purchasing the property three years later, and improving it extensively since then, building and adding to it until his hotel has twenty-three rooms for the accommodation of guests. The site is one of the best in the city, and Mr. Dissinger so well understands catering to the public that he has a large and constantly increasing patronage. Modern methods and conveniences have been added. and Mr. Dissinger makes it his especial business to see that all guests are comfortable and most courteously treated. Mr. Dissinger is a member of several fraternal bodies : Swatara Tribe, No. 276. R. M. : Lebanon Lodge, K. of F. : Lodge No. 314. K. of G. E. He is also one of the active young Democrats of this part of the county, wielding strong influence. He has very acceptably filled the office of township clerk, was a delegate to the State convention, and is well qualified for almost any local position.
In April, 1894, Mr. Dissinger was married to Miss Florence L. Bentz, born in Lebanon City, the youngest child of the late William R. and Rebecca (Kline) Bentz, the other members of the family being: Joseph, Marian, Edward and William, deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. Dis- singer and wife, namely : William Vincent, Marian Irene, Catherine May and Aaron Leroy. The family is associated with the best class of the citizens of Lebanon.
CHARLES VINCENT HENRY, district attorney of Lebanon county, Pa., is one of the able and rising young men of Lebanon county. He was born in the village of Annville, this county, May 23. 1865, son of Oliver H. and Louise (Allwein) Henry.
Oliver H. Henry, one of the most highly respected citizens of Lebanon county, was born at Palmyra sixty-six years ago, and he still retains the land which was taken up by the founder of the family, great-great-grandfather George Henry. The latter emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary war and settled at what is now Palmyra, in Lebanon county. Here lived his son Andrew, who in turn was succeeded by his son, also Andrew, and the latter by his son Oliver H. The family followed agricultural pursuits, were men of substance and reliability, and filled offices of responsibility. Grand-
636
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
father Henry served as registrar of Lebanon county. The name has always been one respected in the county, coming to the front whenever service was needed. Jerome Henry, an uncle of Attorney Henry, was a brave soldier during the Civil war, being captain of one of the Lebanon county companies.
The mother of Mr. Henry was born in Annville, daughter of John All- wein, whose family also was one of the old and honorable ones of that locality. She passed out of life in the summer of 1900, in her fifty-eighth year. Oliver H. Henry, the father, for many years was the agent of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, serving at Annville from the date of the opening of the road until 1888. Subsequently he was the very efficient county commissioner for Lebanon county. The two children born to Oliver H. Henry and wife were both sons. Elmer A., the elder, is teller at the Ann- ville National Bank, and for a number of years was the assistant railroad agent at that place.
Charles Vincent Henry attended the common schools in Annville until his fifteenth year, and then assisted his father in his duties at the Annville station for several years, subsequently entering the employ of the Cornwall & Lebanon Railway Company, in the capacity of clerk in the Lebanon office. Later, in the line of promotion, he was given the agency of the railroad at Mount Gretna, and still later was advanced to the agency at Cornwall. Mr. Henry resigned this position in order to take charge of the private office of Robert H. Coleman, at Cornwall, where he remained from 1889 to 1893.
In the meantime Mr. Henry had decided to enter upon the serious study of the law, and in this resolve was encouraged by his friends, who recognized his abilities. Consequently, in the fall of 1893. he entered the Yale Law School, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1895, making a brilliant record, taking honors both years and graduating second in the large class. In the fall of 1895 he returned to Lebanon and took the neces- sary examinations, resulting in his admittance to the Bar July 29, 1895. In that city Mr. Henry has had much experience and many legal triumphs. His peculiar fitness for responsibility was recognized in 1901 by his election to the office of district attorney, for a term of three years.
In September, 1895, Mr. Henry was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Kreider, daughter of Joseph H. Kreider, of Annville, and two chil- dren have been born to this union; Vincent and Mary. Mr. Henry is inter- ested in enterprises outside of his profession, and is one of the directors of the Annville National Bank.
Mr. Henry is an active member of various Masonic bodies and also of other fraternal organizations. The training which he has enjoyed enables
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 637
him to give very efficient service in the honorable position he holds in Leb- anon county, and it is reasonable to predict still higher honors offered for his acceptance in the future.
JOSEPH HOELZLE. A German-American who impressed his native worth upon the community of Lebanon was Joseph Hoelzle, for many years the owner and proprietor of a small brewing concern at No. 518 North Tenth street. His experiences in early life were those of the average youth of the Fatherland. who rebels at his meager home surroundings, and who departs from the paternal roof with his worldly possessions done up in a very small bundle. This enterprising youth, who soon enlarged the size of his bundle after coming to America, was born in Germany, March 19, 1827, and died at his home in Lebanon, November 29, 1900. His boyhood days were filled with work and a little schooling, and in his native land he learned the trades of coopering and brewing.
Arriving in New York in 1867, Mr. Hoelzle found employment in the Hartman Brewery, and was thus engaged for a number of years. Frugal and industrious, he not only made money but saved it, and began to look for- ward to the time when he should own a business of his own. His dream was realized in due time, and he became the manufacturer of a very good quality of ale and porter, the sale of which increased his bank account more rapidly than he had anticipated. His faith in the town of his adoption was evidenced by his purchase of considerable valuable real-estate in Lebanon, including the residence in which his widow still lives on North Tenth street.
The first wife of Mr. Hoelzle was formerly Magdalene Carman, of Germany, who became the mother of three children, of whom two are living. Joseph and Annie, the latter the wife of James Thompson. For his second wife Mr. Hoelzle, in 1879, married Mathilda Merk, of Wittenberg, Germany, and of this union there were two children, Herman and Mary A., the latter of whom is an accomplished musician. Mrs. Hoelzle has many friends in Lebanon, where her great kindness of heart and noble life are well known and appreciated. Mr. Hoelzle was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic Church. He was a good business man, a generous contributor to all worthy causes, an indulgent husband and father, and a stanch friend.
JOHN CHRISTIAN BUCHER, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Lebanon, a worthy member of a professional family whose members for six generations have been disciples of Galen, was born March 22, 1863, at Schaefferstown, Pa. His parents were Dr. I. R. and Mary E. (Heister).
638
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
Bucher, the former of whom has long been a practitioner in this city, and the latter of whom, a daughter of John B. Heister, of Lebanon, a nephew of Governor Heister, died in this city in 1897.
Dr. Bucher received careful instruction during his youth, first in the public schools and later in a private academy, and graduated from the Leb- anon high school in 1880. Yielding to inherited inclinations he resolved to enter the medical profession, and under the careful and thorough instruction of his able father, prepared for entrance to the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the Medical Department in the class of 1884. Soon after he entered into partnership with his father, and this association continued tintil 1892, when the younger physician opened an individual office at No. 1003 Chestnut street, and has built up a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Bucher has been a factor in city and county politics, having been elected a member of the Common Council of Lebanon in 1887. From 1900 to 1902 he served as chief engineer of the Lebanon Fire Department, and for the past twenty-five years has been a member of the Lebanon Hook and Ladder Company.
In 1892 Dr. Bucher was married to Miss Jenne E. Herman, daughter of the late ex-Mayor John C. Herman, of Harrisburg, and two sons have been born to this union, namely: I. Reily, and John C. The religious con- nection of the family is with St. John's Reformed Church.
Dr. Bucher is a man who makes friends, both in a social and in a busi- ness way. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic organizations, and he has filled the chairs in Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 226, F. & A. Y. M., Weidel Chapter, No. 197, R. A. M., Lebanon Council, No. 27. R. S. E. and S. M. M., Hermit Commandery, No. 24. K. T .: is also a member of Rajah Temple, Mystic Shrine, and Harrisburg Consistory. Thirty-second degree. Socially he is a member of the Lebanon Cycle Club, the Lehigh Valley Asso- ciation, and the State Sportsmen's Association, having served on the legis- lative committee of the latter. He is also medical examiner for the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company of New York, The United States Life In- surance Company, and the Pennsylvania Catholic Benevolent League.
JOHN MICHAEL LANDIS, one of the leading business men of Pal- myra, and one of its public-spirited citizens, was born in Derry township. Dauphin county, July II, 1869, a son of John K. and Elizabeth ( Keim) Landis. The great-grandfather was Henry Landis, a native of Dauphin county, who married into the Light family, and his son, John Landis, married Susan Kreider. John Landis was a native of Dauphin county, and his wife
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 639
was born in North Cornwall township, Lebanon county. The children of this worthy couple were: Mary, who married Hiram Landis; John K., fa- ther of John M .; Jacob, who married Lucetta Ulrich; Joseph; and Susan, who married Abraham Shenk.
John K. Landis, father of John M., was born on the old Landis home- stead, in Dauphin county, near Palmyra, in 1838, and died December 6, 1897, his death occurring at Lancaster, Pa., where he had gone on business. His wife was born near Shellsville, East Hanover township, Dauphin county, in 1843, a daughter of John and Mary (Snyder) Keim. John K. Landis re- moved to Palmyra in 1882, and five years later engaged in butchering and manufacturing of meats, establishing the large business now operated by John M. Landis. Succeeding in his line, he became widely known all over eastern and southern Pennsylvania. His children were as follows: Mary A., who married William Walmer, now of Reading, Pa. ; Susan, who married William H. Kreider, of Palmyra; John M .; Kate, deceased, married to Har- vey Eby, of Campbelltown, Pa .; Jacob, deceased, who married Lydia Bachman.
John M. Landis was reared on the farm, until he was twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Palmyra, and attended the public schools. His business life began in his father's butchering establishment, and upon his father's death, John M. continued the business. The enterprise has been a success from the beginning, and from 1,000 cattle upward, are slaughtered annually, and the business is steadily growing. As an illustration of this fact, the following figures are quoted : In 1899 the number of cattle slaughtered was 537; in 1900. 737: in 1901, 917; and in 1902, 1,020. During the year 1902, Mr. Landis also slaughtered over 2,100 hogs. Being an energetic, public-spirited young business man, Mr. Landis is meeting with deserved sticcess.
Mr. Landis married Lillie Hartz, daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Welt- mer) Hartz, of Palmyra, and to this union the following children have been born : Helen Estella, Mary Catheron, John K. and Susie Elizabeth.
FRANK M. WERNER, a prosperous baker of Fredericksburg, has by conducting a high-class business, carrying only the best of articles, won an excellent reputation for himself, not only in Fredericksburg, but throughout the surrounding country. By his wise financial management, he has accumu- lated some property, and owns a handsome new home in that place. Now only about thirty-seven years old, with a large fund of business experience to rely upon, he has the finest of prospects before him.
His family were among the early settlers of Berks county, and there his
640
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
grandfather, Henry Werner, resided for many years, where he became a lead- ing agriculturist. He had a fine farm, which he worked for many years, carrying on a highly prosperous industry. As a man of force and ability he was influential in local affairs, and he had many friends in the vicinity where he was widely known.
William Werner (2), son of Henry and father of Frank M., also achieved success in the field of farm labor. In a well ordered home he grew to man- hood, and from his earliest years was trained to shoulder responsibility, and to perform each duty thoroughly. As a young man he embarked upon life as a farmer, and as such he continued for the most part through life. He mar- ried Mary Meck, who proved a faithful helpmeet in all his undertakings in life. She died in September, 1873. By this marriage there were seven children who grew to maturity: Jane, who married Nathaniel Bensing, of Berks county ; John, a farmer in Stouchsburg, the same county; Charles, coach- maker. of Pine Grove; Frank M., who is mentioned below ; Einma, who mar- ried Aaron Brubacher, of Iona; Alice, who is now deceased; and Mariah, who married George Kurtzel. After marriage Mr. Werner settled upon a farm near Greble, where he followed agriculture very successfully for many years. By wise management he accumulated considerable means, and won a good place for himself among the farmers of his vicinity. He is now living at an advanced age. He is a large hearted man, keenly interested in all good works, and every ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. He was a model hus- band and kind father, a splendid neighbor, and a thoroughly conscientious, public spirited citizen. Politically he affiliates with the Democrats. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Lutherans, he is a consistent member of that Church.
Frank M. Werner was born near Greble, April 13, 1866, and on his fa- ther's farm he grew to manhood. At an early age he was sent to the public schools, and evincing a keen interest in his studies, continued there for many years, acquiring valuable information and practical training in self-reliance and alertness. As a further preparation for life's activities, at the age of six- teen he went to East Hanover. and began learning the miller's trade. A well trained intellect enabled him in a short time to master the details of the busi- ness, and proving himself a competent workman. he followed that business for nine years, deriving from it a very substantial income. Possessed of some ready capital, at the end of this period he came to Fredericksburg, and opened a first class bakery. He had no difficulty in securing patronage, and soon working up a paying custom. High grade goods, prompt service and courteous treatment of customers won him the entire confidence of the community, and
641
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
he has since continued in this business. His shop is one of the most reliable in the vicinity, and his patronage is certainly all that could be desired.
In 1895 Mr. Werner married Tilla Paine, daughter of Levi Paine, a descendant of one of the old families of Lebanon county. Her father is de- ceased but the mother is still living. A brother, Richard P., resides in the city of Lebanon. To Mr. and Mrs. Werner have been born two children: Lloyd and Annie. Mr. Werner's dominant traits and undoubted promoters of his success in life are a large capacity for work, marked frugality, clear business foresight, and a ready power of making friends. He is temperate in his habits, generous in business, kind in his family, and honorable in all his dealings. Socially he is widely known and highly respected. The P. O. S. of A. of Fred- ericksburg counts him among its most highly esteemed members. As a strong Democrat he is influential in local affairs. Both he and his wife are leading members of the Reformed Church of Fredericksburg.
ABNER AUGUSTUS RITCHER, one of the rising young archi- tects of Lebanon, was born in North Annville township, Lebanon county, May 5, 1872, son of James M. and Lydia (Ruff) Ritcher.
Charles Ritcher, his grandfather, was born in North Lebanon town- ship, Lebanon county, and was a painter by trade. On the maternal side of the house, the grandfather was John Ruff, a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, who came to America when but twenty years old, settling in North Ann- ville township, after remaining for about a year at work in Philadelphia. The death of this venerable man occurred in 1899, when he was ninety-one years of age. During his long life, he pursued farming as a vocation. The father, James M. Ritcher, was born July 12, 1842, at Union Water Works, in North Annville township, and his wife, Lydia (Ruff) Ritcher, was also born in that township in 1844. James M. Ritcher is a carpenter, and from him his son Abner probably inherits his ability and constructive genius.
Abner Augustus Ritcher was born upon his grandfather Ruff's farm, where he was reared until he attained the age of fourteen, attending the common schools of the neighborhood. Later, he attended the Lebanon high school, from which he was graduated in 1888, and he then entered the office of H. T. Hauer, an architect of Lebanon, remaining two years. The next nine years were spent with H. A. Roby, another architect of Lebanon, the latter four as his partner. In 1899, Mr. Roby retired on account of ill health, and Mr. Ritcher has continued the business alone. In addition to his practical instruction in the offices of Messrs. Hauer and Roby, Mr. Ritcher took a special course in architecture through a School of Correspondence. Among
41
642
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
the leading buildings of which Mr. Ritcher has been the architect, may be mentioned the following: St. Mark's Reformed church, Ninth and Mifflin streets, Lebanon; Salem (Lutheran) Memorial church, Lebanon; Grace Memorial Reformed church, Washington, D. C. (President Roosevelt's church), which was secured in open competition with seven prominent archi- tects from Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Washington and other large cities; Memo- rial United Brethren church, Washington, D. C .; and also the residences of George D. Krause, H. C. Shirk, H. M. M. Richards, the Shenk and Mann store and office buildings, as well as numerous other residences, churches and parish buildings, not only in Lebanon, but in other cities, where his marked ability has gained him distinction.
In 1893, Mr. Ritcher was married to Irene Bentz, a native of Philadel- phia, and a daughter of Harry Bentz, of Lebanon. This marriage has been blessed with two sons, Henry Bentz and Walter James.
JOHN H. LIGHT, steward of the Lebanon County Alms House, and one of the substantial and representative citizens of Annville, was born on a farm in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, February 28, 1864, son of Ezra B. and Mary Ann ( Brown) Light.
Ezra B. Light was born in Cornwall township, in 1842, son of Moses Light, who was a native of Cornwall township, Lebanon county. The mother of John H. Light was born in 1844. in Schuylkill county, and died in 1883. Ezra Light was twice married. By his first wife he had three sons and one daughter, namely: John H., Elizabeth, Aaron and Moses ; by his second three children, Sadie. Ellsworth and Harrison. Mr. Light has led an agri- cultural life, but now. with his family, resides in Annville.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.