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 76
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John H. Arnold was a cabinetmaker by trade, and was very successful
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in his work. From Manheim he removed to Petersburg, Pa., and there learned his trade, and after several years went to Harrisburg; later to Car- lisle, spending five years at the latter city, after which he returned to Manheim. Again he made a change in location, and for a year lived at Deodate, Dauphin county, and then removed to Campbelltown, where a sister and uncle then lived. At that time there was no cabinetmaker in the town, and he erected the building now occupied by his son. Charles F., and for forty-five years carried on a very flourishing business. The following children were born to himself and wife: Sarah married George Snavely: John, deceased, married first, Mary Stauffer, and then Caroline Baker; Harry married Louisa Hor- stick, and is keeper of the toll gate of the People's Bridge Co., at Harrisburg ; Catherine died unmarried ; Peter C., of Manheim, Pa., married first, a Miss Swartz, and second, Barbara Graybill; Charles F. is mentioned below; Elizabeth married John Fortna, of North Lebanon township; Susan married Dr. Seltzer, clerk in the Federal Treasury Department at Washington : Mary married Jeremiah Pretz, of Manheim: Emma married Abe Hamoker, of Manheim; and Frank, deceased, married Ida Fritz; and two children died in infancy.
Charles F. Arnold was reared in Campbelltown, and received his educa- tion in the common schools of that town. When fifteen years of age, he began to learn the trade of cabinetmaker with his father, working with him. and finally succeeding to the business at the latter's death. A full and varied assortment of fine furniture is carried, and Mr. Arnold enjoys an excellent trade among the best people of the city and surrounding districts. His under- taking establishment is thoroughly equipped and all modern methods are followed.
Charles F. Arnold married Miss Ellen Emrich, a daughter of George Emrich, born August 13, 1855. The children born of this union were: Ray- mond, in partnership with his father, born September 8, 1874, married Ella Carpenter, of Rexmont, Lebanon county, and they have one child, Charles LeRoy: Carrie C., born April 8. 1877. died June 30, 1899, married Samuel Martin : Stella May, born July 21, 1881 ; Elizabeth Ann, born July 12, 1885; Elsie, born December 30. 1889: Claud C., born October 1, 1892.
In 1902, Mr. Arnold was elected a school director for South London- derry township and is secretary of the board. In his religious connections he is a member of the Salem Reformed Church. Mr. Arnold is an honorable. upright gentleman, and belongs to one of the best known and most highly respected families in this section of the country.
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JOHN H. LERCH. Mercantile interests in Lebanon have been mater- ially advanced by the worth while and successful career of John H. Lerch, who was born in Swatara township, Lebanon county, Pa., July 1, 1859, a son of Simon F. and Elizabeth ( Bean ) Lerch, now retired in West Lebanon township.
The Lerch family has been known in Lebanon county for many years, the great-grandfather. John, having settled near Bunker Hill, in the very early days. The paternal grandfather. John (2), was a carpenter and undertaker by trade, as well as a farmer, and was the father of the following children : Sallie, Mary, Benjamin, Simon F., Adam F., Emanuel, Eve, John and William. Of these children all are deceased, but Simon F., John and William.
Simon F. Lerch, father of John H., was born in Swatara township, Lebanon county, October 7. 1828, and in his youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed with considerable success the early part of his life. Later he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed up to the time of his retirement from active life. He was twice married, his first wife having been Elizabeth Bean, who was born in Swatara township, September 26, 1830, and died November 10, 1882. Of this union there were ten children as follows: Malinda B., who married Charles T. McGinley, and had a daughter who died in infancy; a son who lived but four days; Angeline B .: Clinton, deceased ; Annie Elizabeth, deceased; John H .: Mary A., who married Daniel T. Gerberich, and had a daughter, Lillie Lerch; Emma L., deceased, who married William Bensing, and had two daughters, Minnie K. and Ella E. ; Claudius Galen, deceased ; and Ellen Catherine. For his second wife Mr. Lerch married Catherine Hoover, to which union there have been no children. Simon F. Lerch is a Republican in politics, and in his younger days was quite active around election time, and held numerous local offices. He is a member of the Reformed Church.
Reared to farm work and early personal responsibility, John H. Lerch was studious and ambitious as a boy, and by the time he was nineteen years of age had qualified as a teacher, which occupation he followed for about four years. He then accepted a clerkship in the general store of S. Oberholtzer & Son, of Fredericksburg, Pa., with whom he remained for three years. He then removed to Lebanon, and became a clerk for the dry-goods firm of A. E. Gantz, and as such was later with J. B. Rauch & Son, dealers in general merchandise. Lebanon. His own mercantile enterprise was con- ducted first in West Lebanon, in the year 1887, where he has remained until the present time. He carries a complete line of commodities required by the
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patrons of general merchandise stores, and his unfailing good nature, tact and consideration for the best interests of his customers justifies the predic- tion that his business will continue to prosper and increase indefinitely.
On September 26, 1885, Mr. Lerch married Ella Book, of Annville, Pa., daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Sarge) Book, of Cumberland county, Pa., and sister of Mary, the wife of Elias Feeman, a merchant of West Lebanon, mentioned elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Lerch were born the following chil- dren : a daughter, Mamie, who died in infancy ; and a son, Harry Book, born April 13, 1903. Mr. Lerch is a Republican, and has been township auditor and school trustee for years, at present being also assessor. He is identified with Colebrook Castle, No. 41, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain; a member of Diamond Council, Order of Mystic Friends; and also of the Firemen's Mutual Aid Association. He is among the prominent and highly honored members of the community of West Lebanon, and is destined to continue to contribute to its all around prosperity.
HARRY CLAYTON KREIDER, one of the well-known and enter- prising young business men of Palmyra, and a member of the shoe manu- facturing firm of W. L. Kreider's Sons, is a native of that city, having been born there September 1, 1876, a son of WV. L. Kreider, also of Palmyra. His boyhood was spent in Palmyra, where he attended school, receiving a good practical education, and in 1893, he entered his father's shoe factory. After serving an apprenticeship, and learning thoroughly every detail of the busi- ness, he was made a partner in 1897, he having at that time attained his majority.
On April 9, 1898, Mr. Kreider was married to Miss Annie G. Erb, the sister of Will H. Erb, the well-known lumber manufacturer of Palmyra, an extended sketch of whom appears elsewhere. On January 23, 1900, a son was born to this happy union, Erb R. Mr. and Mrs. Kreider are both mem- bers of the River Presbyterian Church, and take an active part in church affairs. They are very popular young people and important factors in the social life of Palmyra.
JACOB B. MILLARD, a well-known stone contractor and lime manu- facturer of Lebanon, employs a large number of workmen, and is a popular and influential citizen. Endowed with both energy and business capacity, he has risen to his present and enviable position largely through his own efforts. He was born in Dauphin county, Pa., son of Michael and Martha (Oarth) Millard.
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Michael Millard was born in York county, Pa., November 1, 1825. As a young man he settled in Steelton, where he became a prosperous and lead- ing business man. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for several years. Later he engaged in the quarry business. Hav- ing amassed considerable property, he is now living in retirement in Steel- ton, where he has hosts of admiring friends. During his young manhood he married Martha Oarth, and they have had five children : Jacob B. ; Edward F., a contractor of Martinsburg, W. Va .; Charles D., who works for his brother, Jacob; Michael, a resident of Harper's Ferry, Va. ; and Martha, who married Frank Davis, a paymaster, of Steelton.
Jacob B. Millard obtained his education in the public schools of Steel- ton, and early developed a keenness of mind and great perseverance, which have characterized him through life. So enterprising was he that when ten years old he obtained employment as a mule driver on the canal, and showed his persistence and power to make friends by retaining his position for five years. At the end of that time he went to work in a quarry, and he also engaged in a lime business, continuing in these lines until he was twenty-one. The next three years he spent in milling, the first year with James Shultz, of Dauphin county, the second with a firm in Center county, and the third in the Beaver Creek Mills, owned by Samuel Shoop, of Dauphin county. This ex- perience greatly enlarged his business knowledge, and well prepared him for filling his next position, the superintendency of his father's quarry in Steelton. This place he occupied for three years, gaining the good will of the workmen, . and proving a valuable assistant to his father. At the end of this period he was enabled to purchase an interest in the quarry, and as a partner continued his business there two years longer. He then hired out to G. W. Cumbler, as superintendent at Steelton, Pa. Next moving to Swatara Station, he supplied the stone for Denny, Watts & Co., proprietors of the Union Deposit Furnaces, and, meeting engagements promptly, gave good satisfaction. Per- ceiving, however, during this period, larger openings for business in Leb- anon, he next moved to that city, where he has since remained. Engaging in the quarry business there, he contracted to furnish stone for the G. Dawson Coleman firm, manufacturers of general iron goods and furnaces, and so satisfactory has been his work that he has since continued his contracts with that company. He has also supplied numerous other companies with stone, and is now carrying on a very extensive business. In addition to quarrying he has also carried on the manufacture of lime at Lebanon, at which he has also been successful. In both his industries he has continually employed from 300 to 600 men, and has been of great assistance to his community. At
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the same time his business has yielded large profits, which he has wisely invested. and he now owns considerable valuable property in Lebanon, five large farms near Annville, Pa .. and one at Millardsville, a place named in his honor.
In 1876, when about twenty-three years old, Mr. Millard married Lizzie Himes, of Dauphin county, and they have had nine children, five of whom are now living : Harry E., who is a partner with his father in the lime manufac- turing business (in 1898 he married Miss Agnes Uhler, and they have one child. Laura) ; and Susan, Catherine, Bessie and Ruth, all at home.
Politically Mr. Millard is a Republican, but he does not hesitate to vote for the right man, regardless of party affiliation. He has never been am- bitious for public honors, but, through the merited esteem of his fellow citi- zens, has held for a considerable time a place in the city council. Possessing a magnetic personality, he has evinced a remarkable power of making friends, and his word carries weight in his community.
IRWIN HORST. Among the honorable and public-spirited men of Schaefferstown, Lebanon county, is Irwin Horst, a jobber and cigar manu- facturer of that city, who was born August 11, 1869. in South Lebanon township, a son of John P. and Leah (Funck) Horst, deceased. John P. Horst was born in 1837 and died in 1890. By calling he was a farmer, attaining success in his chosen vocation.' Peter Horst. the father of John P., was also a prominent farmer of the locality, and he in turn was the son of Peter, who lived and died in South Lebanon township. near Horst mill, which structure took its name from him. The Horsts were among the first of the families who settled in Lebanon county. Peter Horst, son of Peter (I), was the father of eight children: Abraham: Peter: Jacob: John P .; Annie, who married Jacob Brubacker, of South Lebanon township: and three who died in infancy.
John P. Horst had two children. Irwin and Laura, the latter of whom married Aaron Risser, of South Londonderry township. Lebanon county, a farmer. In politics John Horst was a stanch Democrat, and served most creditably as school director and tax collector. He was a man known for his honesty and integrity, and set an example for the coming generations to follow.
Irwin Horst was reared on the farm in South Lebanon township. in his youth, attending the common schools, later Muhlenberg College, and still later taking a course at the Allentown business college. After finishing the latter he returned to Lebanon county, and farmed on the homestead place for
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about eight years. In 1899 Mr. Horst removed to Schaefferstown and em- barked in the manufacture of cigars, owning and operating the largest estab- lishment of his kind in the city. The volume of his business is steadily in- creasing, and his success is pleasing and well merited. In political matters Mr. Horst has always taken an active part, working with the Democratic party, of which he has been a member ever since he cast his first vote, and he was appointed justice of the peace in February, 1902. The town is strongly Republican, but on account of his many pleasant qualities Mr. Horst has many friends in the community and is justly regarded as one of its leading citizens.
In 1894 Mr. Horst was married to Miss Anna Brubacker, of South Leb- anon township, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Yeagley) Brubacker, of the same locality, who are now deceased. Mrs. Horst was one of a family of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity : Joseph, of Heidelberg town- ship; George, of South Lebanon township, a farmer; Mary, who married Philip Glick, of South Lebanon township; and Anna, Mrs. Horst. Mr. and Mrs. Horst have one daughter, Bertha, a charming little one and a very bright child of her age.
FRANKLIN B. HORST, one of the successful and progressive young farmers of Heidelberg township. Lebanon county, was born October 23, 1868, on the old Joseph S. Horst homestead, a son of Joseph S. and Mary (Brubaker) Horst, both of whom were natives of this county, the latter being a daughter of Abraham and Barbara (Snavely) Brubaker, the former of whom was born in 1806, in Lancaster county, and died in 1886. Joseph S. Horst was a son of Joseph and Barbara (Shirk) Horst. both deceased, who reared a family of ten children, as follows : Peter, Henry, Joseph S., Samuel, Catherine, Barbara, Fannie, Sarah, Annie and Eliza.
Joseph S. Horst was born in South Annville township, Lebanon county in 1833, and died at the age of sixty-four years. His education was secured in the public schools in boyhood, and later he studied both at the Millersville State Normal School, and at a business college at Baltimore. When he left school he engaged in teaching for several years, and then spent one year operating a warehouse business. He accepted a clerical position in the mer- cantile establishment of Jolin George, in Lebanon city, which was located on the site now occupied by the People's National Bank, and several years later began farming. In 1861 he took charge of his father-in-law's farm, continuing the same until 1890. By inheritance he became the owner of this fine farm, comprising 260 acres, and he also owned two farms in North
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Cornwall township, one containing 140 acres, and the other 115 acres, the latter being now operated by a son, Harry B. Mr. Horst was a very suc- cessful business man, a hard worker, keen and shrewd, and one of high bus- iness and personal integrity. He was one of the organizers of the Myerstown National Bank, a member of its board of directors, and was also a stock- holder in the other Lebanon banks. For many years he was an active sup- porter of the United Brethren Church in Lebanon, and for years was treas- urer and the main supporter of the Church at Schaefferstown. Although a stanch Republican, he never sought office although various positions were thrust upon him. On June 4, 1861, he married Mary Brubaker, born June 7, 1839. and she still survives. Her grandfather, Abraham Brubaker, came to Lebanon county from Clay township, Lancaster county, a member of the old family of that name, which is numerous there. The four sons born to the above marriage were: Abraham, a farmer of North Cornwall township; Harry B., farmer of the same township: Uriah B., a farmer; and Franklin B., both farmers in Heidelberg township.
Franklin B. Horst was reared in Heidelberg township and attended the public schools, and later the Millersville Normal school. Upon his return he settled upon a fine farm which his father had given him and here he still continues, one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. Mr. Horst is a director of the Myerstown National Bank. In politics he is a Republican, and a man who is always interested in all movements of improvement in his township.
On February 12, 1891, Mr. Horst was married to Miss Jennie E. Beck- ley. a daughter of Hiram and Malinda (Light) Beckley. of South Lebanon township. She was one of three children born to her parents, namely : Grant, ' a farmer of South Lebanon township; Jennie E .; and Annie A., at home. Hiram Beckley is a very prominent farmer, a son of Joseph Beckley. who was a son of Michael Beckley, the whole family being well known through South Lebanon township. The origin of the Beckley family was in Ireland, but many generations have lived in Pennsylvania. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Horst were Mabel (deceased). Raymond. Morris and Ammon. Both Mr. Horst and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, at Schaefferstown. They are among the most highly respected people of their locality.
REV. J. LEWIS FLUCK, pastor of the Reformed Church at Myers- town. Pa .. not only occupies a position of prominence in his own religious body. but is recognized very generally as one of the most talented young
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clergymen of Lebanon county. Thoroughly equipped for the responsibilities of his position through years of study and a large practical experience, he adds to this a most winning personality and a religious zeal which has enabled him to overcome the obstacles in his path, and to attain a position somewhat com- mensurate with his abilities.
Rev. Mr. Fluck was born of honorable, although far from wealthy, parentage, his birth occurring near Churchill, Pa., September 17, 1864. He was the second of three children born to David and Amanda ( Lewis ) Fluck, the others being Lewis L., who is a carpenter in Quakertown, Pa. ; and Josiah, who died in childhood. The family is of German extraction, extending back several generations. The grandparents of Rev. Fluck were Christian and Maria Fluck, farming people of Bucks county, and there David Fluck was born, in 1837. and died July 11, 1877. This bereavement occurred when his son was thirteen years of age, and its consequence was that the bright lad was obliged to leave school and start upon some career which would fit him for the battle of life. With very practical ideas, he was apprenticed to a shoe- maker, but after six months of honest effort, the youth realized that this honorable business was one in which he could never take an interest. He then turned to the milling business and found it more congenial, remaining engaged in this industry from 1879 until 1882. However, while this was undoubtedly fine discipline, it did not fill his life, and as he approached ma- turity he resolved that he would first secure a better education and then find another avenue of usefulness. The limits of this record will not permit the telling of the self-denying efforts required to enable Mr. Fluck to successfully pursue his extended course of study, but in 1882 he entered the academic department of Ursinus College, two years later being admitted to the col- legiate department and graduating with honors in 1888, receiving the degree of A. B. In 1889 he took a course at the Divinity School. at New Haven, Conn .. and in 1890, at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. During the summer of this year he labored as a missionary in South Dakota. Graduating in 1891 he received the degree of B. D. from the Divinity School of Ursinus College in Philadelphia. This was followed in 1892 by the degree of A. M.
Prior to this, on May 12, 1891, he had received a unanimous call to the pastorate of the St. Matthew's Reformed Church, in Chester county, which he accepted and was installed June 16. 1891. After four years of successful service he resigned this charge in order to take a post-graduate course of study in political economy and science, physiology and sociology, devot- ing three years to these branches. In the meantime he was giving attention
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to literary work, and in 1892 published a comprehensive History of the Reformed Church, and a learned treatise on Mediaeval Libraries, both of these efforts demanding close study, wide reading and deep knowledge.
In 1897 the Reformed Church at Myerstown presented him with a unanimous call to become their pastor. The call was accepted in good faith, and though the field was in anything but a prosperous condition, the members gave noble support to every project that the enterprising and enthusiastic young pastor presented. During the years between then and the present, while serving his congregation faithfully and well, it has been his privilege to be the leading spirit in a large number of improvements, not the least of these being the purchase of the famous Roosevelt organ (built for Robert H. Coleman, the millionaire "Iron King"), and its placing in the church where it stands to-day, one of the finest instruments of its kind in the United States.
On December 25. 1890. Rev. Fluck was married to Miss Laura Ehl, daughter of Daniel and Lucinda Ehl, of Tylersport. Pa. A little adopted daughter, Mabel Ruth Stephens Fluck, makes happy childhood in their home.
MONROE F. SHOOP, station agent of the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad at Colebrook, Lebanon county, was born January 5. 1854, at Car- lisle. Cumberland county, Pa., a son of Frederick and Fanny (Houck) Shoop.
Frederick Shoop was born in September, 1822, near the old Shoop Church, not far from Harrisburg, and died September 30, 1901. The mother was born in 1826, near Harrisburg, and still resides at Hummelstown. The family is an old established one of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Jonathan Shoop, was born in the neighborhood of Shoop Church, and was a son of Christopher Shoop, who was. in all probability, the founder of the family in America, coming from Germany during the seventeenth century. The family was prominent in the religious affairs of the locality. and the old church near Harrisburg still bears the name of its founder. The maternal grandfather. Jacob Houck, was also born in this locality, and married a mem- ber of the Wert family.
To the parents of Monroe F. Shoop were born the following children : Mary Ellen, born in 1852, married Elias Wagner, and died in 1897: Monroe F .; Clinton D., born in 1860. married Lorene Shoup: Lydia Agnes, born in 1862, married Edward Walters, of Hummelstown; and Amos C .. born in 1864. married Miss Zentmoyer. The father of this family was a farmer and miller, and for many years operated inills.
Monroe F. Shoop was reared in the neighborhood of Harrisburg, and
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enjoyed excellent educational advantages, attending the public schools, the Palatinate College at Myerstown, and the Lebanon Valley College at Anin- ville. and engaged in teaching for two terms in Dauphin county. Pa. In 1875 he began to learn telegraphy and in 1876 had become proficient enough to accept regular duty as an operator at Hummelstown. entering the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. On October 1, 1883, he removed to Lebanon and opened the Lebanon office on the completion of the Cornwall & Lebanon railroad, and remained there as agent until April, 1884. and then went to Cornwall as the agent in 1885, coming then to Colebrook where he was inade station agent and also the manager of the Coleman estate. He continued as agent at this place for the following year, he managing the estate until the failure in 1893. and then continued as manager under the assignees until 1897. Mr. Shoop then leased the mills and farms and oper- ated them on his own account until 1900, returning then to the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad, and becoming agent again at Colebrook.
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