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 77
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In 1875 Mr. Shoop was married to Amanda Walters, born in December, 1854, near Hummelstown, daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Machen) Walters, of Harrisburg, and to this union these children have been born: Charles, born October 23, 1876, a stenographer in the office of the president of the Corn- wall & Lebanon Railroad, at Lebanon; Walter, born January 23, 1878. a civil engineer, now on duty in Cuba; Edith May, born October 12, 1880; Arthur R .. born July 8, 1887: and Alice V., born June 7, 1890. Both Mr. Shoop and wife are consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Shoop is one of the substantial as well as prominent men of Colebrook, owning a fine farin of 116 acres in the vicinity. His attention has been given to the . various movements directed to the advancement of his section, and he has been particularly interested in educational matters, serving capably as one of the school directors. The family is one of the much esteemed ones of Cole- brook.
JOHN H. KETTERING, one of the leading cattle dealers and farmers of South Annville township, residing one mile south of Annville, on the turn- pike road leading from Annville to the Horseshoe turnpike, and also on the road to Campbelltown, was born on the farm at Mt. Pleasant, on the Horse- shoe turnpike, South Annville township. August 17. 1871, a son of Joseph Kettering, who was born in December, 1831, in Millcreek township. Lebanon county, and died in 1874. The mother of John Il. Kettering was Elizabeth Shirk, born in Lancaster county, February 13. 1830, and died in April, 1902.
Joseph Kettering, the father, was a farmer all his life, and was well
700 BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY.
known and highly respected. Joseph was twice married, his first wife being Leah Shirk, by whom he had four children, namely: Samuel, deceased; Lizzie, wife of John Wenger ; Fanny, wife of Aaron Funk; and Leah, wife of Henry Hollinger. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Shirk, and the children of this union were : Joseph, who died in 1875, at the age of two years ; and John H.
John H. Kettering grew up a farmer boy and attended the public schools. After marriage he began housekeeping on the old farm which he now owns. Three years later he rented his farm and bought one of the handsomest private residences in this locality, one mile south of Annville, where he has since resided and engaged extensively in the cattle business, handling about forty head a month. His efforts have met with much success, and Mr. Kettering is regarded as one of the solid and substantial business men of this locality.
On December 31, 1891. Mr. Kettering was united in marriage with Lizzie A. Brandt, born in Swatara township, Lebanon county. October 17, 1875. a daughter of John H. and Anna L. (Ensminger) Brandt, the former of whom was born in September, 1854. in Bethel township, and the latter August 1. 1853. in West Lebanon township, both of whom still survive, among the most highly esteemed residents of Swatara township. Their three children were: Mrs. Kettering; John A., who married Carrie Wengert; and Christie E., who married John H. Bicksler. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kettering, namely: Joseph Henry, born June 24. 1893; and James Brandt, born July 8, 1899, died March 13. 1900.
JOSEPH F. LAUCK, one of the leading business men of Palmyra and a member of the firm of Behm & Lauck, proprietors of the Palmyra Paper Box Factory, was born January 6, 1878. in Palmyra. a son of Joseph F. Lauck, Sr., who was one of Palmyra's best known and most esteemed citizens.
Joseph F. Lauck, Sr., was born April 23, 1807. near Sinking Spring, Berks county, Pa., one of the seven children of John and Elizabeth (Zeller) Lauch, the latter a daughter of John Zeller ; the other children being John, David, George, Elizabeth, Susan and Annie.
On June 20, 1873, Joseph F. Lauck, Sr., was united in marriage with Sarah Keiffer. born May 19, 1839, near Binnagles Church, East Hanover township, Lebanon county, a daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Snyder) Keiffer. The father was born in 1798 on the old Keiffer homestead, near Binnagles Church, and died in 1843; his wife was born in 1800 and died in 1868. To the marriage of Frederick and Sarah Keiffer the following chil- dren were born: John ( deceased). Catherine. Susan (deceased). Mary
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Ann, Samuel ( deceased ), Joseph, Jeremiah, William ( deceased ) and Sarah. When a boy Joseph F. Lauck, Sr., learned the shoemaking trade, but did not follow it, preferring to engage in farming, which he did after removing from Berks county. For a number of years he operated a farm near Hanoverdale, in Derry township, Dauphin county, and then bought the farm now owned by Cyrus Bachman, near Campbelltown, continuing there about eight years, when he sold and removed to Palmyra. Mr. Lauck was the first station agent at Palmyra for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, holding the position for nine years. During one period he engaged in clerking in the hardware store of Martin Early, at Palmyra, but retired from activity about ten years before his death, which occurred April 17, 1882. For a number of years he was engaged to some extent in the settling up of estates, his services in that direction being much sought on account of his upright character and sterling qualities. Many minor heirs were under his wise and careful guar- dianship, their interests being as faithfully managed as his own. He be- longed to the Lutheran Church, and was a member of the board of trustees, and for twenty-four years served as superintendent of the Sunday School.
Joseph F. Lauck, Jr., who worthily bears his father's name, was reared in Palmyra and attended the public schools, graduating in 1894, beginning then to clerk in the store of J. A. Loose, in Palmyra, where he continued until 1895. when he entered the Lebanon Business College, graduating from this excellent institution in 1897. Mr. Lauck spent the succeeding year in a cleri- cal position with H. S. Gibble, successor to Mr. Loose, and then entered for the following year the store of Stambaugh & Haak, at Lebanon. In 1899 he engaged in merchandising in Palmyra, at the corner of Main and Railroad streets, where he was very successful until his business was destroyed by fire March 5. 1900. Many would have been completely discouraged by such a disaster, but Mr. Lauck was of different fiber and immediately began looking about for other business avenues. In September of the year 1901, he estab- lished the Palmyra Paper Box Factory, in connection with his brother-in-law, Morris K. Behm. They first bought the planing mill building, formerly owned by W. L. Kreider, and converted the second floor into a factory, leasing the first floor to WV. H. Erb for his planing mill. Six months later they had expanded, and their business had so increased that they occupied the whole building. The factory manufactures all kinds of boxes, and with the modern machinery introduced has a daily capacity of 5,000 paper boxes. Their goods are marketed in neighboring towns, the bulk of the output being utilized in Palmyra. This is one of the leading industries of the locality, and prom- ises to rival establishments of its kind in the larger cities. On August 18,
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1903. the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Lauck continues as sole owner.
On August 29, 1899, Mr. Lauck was married to Fannie K., a daughter of Rudolph Behm, born October 28, 1880. on the farm in South Annville township, and to this union two children have come: Esther Barbara, born August 21, 1900; and Behn R., born November 14, 1902. Mr. Lauck occu- pies a prominent position in business and social circles in Palmyra, belongs to Camp No. 192, P. O. S. of A., and is the local treasurer of the National Building and Loan Association of Lebanon, and has been judge of elections for North Londonderry township. He was an instigator of a new mutual fire insurance company, of which he is secretary. For a number of years he has been a member of Palm Evangelical Lutheran Church.
JAMES ALBERT HARRIS, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the north-western part of Lebanon county, and probably the leading one of Jonestown, was born January 18, 1871, at Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa., son of Dr. William and Ella (Hagenbuch) Harris.
Dr. William Harris was born at the village of Buckhorn, Columbia Co., Pa., a son of Jacob Harris, who for many years was a merchant in Columbia county and a well-known justice of the peace. His uncle, John Harris, was a public man whose name is perpetuated in the capital city of Harrisburg. Dr. William Harris graduated at Philadelphia from Jefferson Medical Col- lege, having previously conducted a drug business at Hamburg, Berks county. Here he settled for practice, and also retained his drug business, which he expanded into the leading one in the county, and until recently was very active in his profession. He was prominent in the medical profession, and served as president of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association. Mrs. Ella ( Hagenbuch) Harris was born in Bloomsburg, a member of one of the solid old German families of Columbia county. The children born to Dr. William and wife were: James Albert, Mary E. and Charles C.
Dr. James A. Harris was reared at Hamburg, and attended the public schools. He was a member of the first graduating class of the Hamburg High School, in May, 1887. He then entered his father's drug store. and while there, read the four years' course in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, graduating in August, 1893, and with this excellent founda- tion, entered Jefferson Medical College in the following October. Here he was graduated in May, 1896, and after passing the State Medical Board in July, he began practice in September, at Aetna, Berks county. In April, 1898, he removed to Jonestown, where his success has been most satisfactory. He is physician to the Episcopal Church Home, at Jonestown, and is a valued
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member of the Lebanon County Medical Society, for which he prepares papers. Dr. Harris is fraternally connected with Symmetry Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 103, at Hamburg. He is an active member of the Reformed Church, and much interested in the Sunday School.
On September 15, 1897, Dr. Harris was married to Miss Emma Welt- mer, who was born in Campbelltown, daughter of Charles Weltmer, a mer- chant tailor of that place. One little daughter. Hilda Weltmer, was born to this union, July 16, 1899.
PHILIP SHERIDAN LONG, one of the well-known citizens of the Sixth ward of Lebanon, and a leading baker, at No. 334 North Ninth street, was born in South Annville township, Lebanon county, May 10, 1866, son of Samuel B. and Caroline ( Koonts) Long. The father was born in Londonderry township, Lebanon county, October 2, 1845, and the mother in East Hanover township, same county, December 12, 1847. The paternal grandfather was Jacob Long, also a native of Londonderry township, and the great-grandfather was also Jacob Long, a native of Londonderry township (at that time a part of Dauphin county). The great-grandfather was a farmer, the grandfather a shoemaker, and the father a farmer. The ma- ternal grandfather was Solomon Koonts, a native of East Hanover township, born in 1819. a son of Philip. The maternal grandmother was Susanna Walmer, born in East Hanover township, daughter of William Walmer, who married a Focht. The paternal grandmother was Eliza Brown, who was born at Derry Church, Dauphin county, daughter of Henry Brown. Three sons and seven daughters were born to Jacob Long and wife, the grandparents, as follows : Katie N., Sarah, Caroline, David, Samuel B .. Cyrus, Louisa. Lizzie, Malinda and Emma. To Samuel B. Long and wife were born: Philip Sheridan ; Annie M .. who married John Swartz, of Lebanon; Lizzie L., who married Marshall Achey, of Philadelphia; Mary E., who became Mrs. Joseph E. Davis, of Wilmington. Del. : Fannie L., who married J. H. Frey, of Lebanon ; and Cyrus J., who resides in Lebanon.
In 1872 Samuel B. Long removed to Lebanon from South Annville township, and for twenty-three years was employed in blast furnaces. He is a man of some local prominence, and was called upon by his fellow citizens to serve them in the city council from the Third ward in 1886-7. When the call was made for troops in 1863 he responded nobly and went to the front as a private of Company K. Twentieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. In this company he saw service for three years, receiving promo- tion to Corporal for meritorious conduct. He is a worthy member of
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Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of the United Americans, and of the United Breth- ren Church.
Philip S. Long was six years of age when his parents removed to Leba- non. He attended school until his fourteenth year. when he went to work in a boiler shop and for the three following years was engaged at that laborious service. This was succeeded by a six months' experience in a general wagon repair shop in Wooster, Ohio. Returning again to Lebanon he resumed his former occupation in the boiler shop, where he continued for some six months, when he became employed at one of Lebanon's blast furnaces, where he continued for the next five years, four of which were in the responsible position of hot blast attendant, and one as engineer. Becoming dissatisfied with the iron business on account of its limited opportunities for advancement. Mr. Long, in January, 1890, resolved to change his occupation, and believing con- ditions pointed to the baking trade as one in which there might be develop- ment, set up an establishment on Buttonwood street, and began the career which has been so successful. He started in a small way and after a year removed to North Eighth street, near the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad depot, where he remained for the next five years, gradually building up a large trade by close application to business, and by seeking to establish a repu- tation for excellence of goods and of service. In this he has succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. He was soon compelled to seek larger quarters, and for that reason removed to his present stand. He caters to the general trade, keeping constantly in service five bread wagons, and a whole- sale cake and cracker wagon.
Mr. Long is rapidly forging to the front as one of Lebanon's leading business men and deserves the success which is attending him. He affiliates prominently with the P. O. S. of A., the Knights of Malta, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Brotherhood of the Union.
On August 29, 1886, Mr. Long wedded Amelia Spang, who was born in Lebanon October 3, 1867, daughter of Henry and Malinda (Yeagley) Spang. She has borne to Mr. Long five bright children : Carrie, born April 14, 1887; Henry S., February 11, 1889; Mary S., January 15, 1891 ; Paul S., July 31, 1892, died April 15, 1893 ; and Helen B., April 13, 1894.
ABRAHAM L. RISSER. one of the well-known farmers of South Annville township, Lebanon county, owns and resides upon the old Abraham Risser farm, located about three miles from Annville and about one-half mile from the Horseshoe turnpike, a farm well known in this vicinity for its excellent improvements and fine state of cultivation.
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 705
Abraham Risser was born on February 20, 1869, and he is a son of Henry N. and Kate ( Herr) Risser, at Risser's Mill, Conewago, in London- derry township. His father was born in the same township in 1842, and the mother in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county, in 1844. The former died in 1896, but the mother still survives. Four children were born to them as follows: Abraham L .; Aaron S., who lives in Londonderry township in the old homestead; Mary, married to Jeremiah Gingrich, of Hummelstown, Dauphin county, and H. Allen, deceased. The grandfather of Abraham L. was Abraham Risser, who was born in South Londonderry township, Leba- non county, and was a farmer and a miller at the Risser mill, Conewago. His death occurred in 1899. Polly Nissley, his wife, was born in Mt. Joy town- ship, Lancaster county, and they had these children : Henry N. and Mary, who married Samuel Coble, and is now deceased.
Abraham L. Risser was reared at the old mill and attended the common schools in his locality. In 1890 he began farming on the old Risser farm in South Annville township, purchasing the property in 1889 and continuing. here ever since. This was originally the Samuel L. Bowman farm, and con- sists of 142 acres. A fine stone residence was built on it in 1832, the great stone barn having been erected in 1829.
In 1889 Mr. Risser was united in marriage with Emma E. Bachman, who was born in Cornwall township, daughter of John C. Bachman, and granddaughter of Christian Bachman, a leading citizen. To this union three children have been born, namely: John H., Annie L. and Lydia .1.
CYRUS HEVERLING, a bricklayer by trade who has risen to the superintendency of the Lackawanna Rock Quarries, at West Lebanon, was born in Myerstown, Pa., May 1, 1841. the youngest of the four children born to Michael and Sarah (Kemmerer ) Heverling. His brother, Henry, is living at the Hot Springs, Ark., while his sisters, Eliza and Amanda, are deceased. Michael Heverling was a stanch Republican, and a member of the Reformed Church.
On the paternal farm near the North Lebanon Furnaces, Cyrus Hever- ling was reared to much work and little leisure, and had, as well, but limited educational chances. While still quite young he prepared for future inde- pendence by learning the bricklayer's trade, but its practical application was interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil war. His first enlistment in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was for a year, during which time he participated in the Virginia campaign, after which he enlisted in the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry for
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three months. Even these two warlike experiences were not sufficient to dampen the ardor of this very patriotic youth, and he enlisted a third time in the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He saw much of the grewsome and terrible side of war, particularly at Richmond and Petersburg, Va., and in the Spring of 1865, he received a painful but not dangerous wound in the side.
Upon returning to Lebanon Mr. Heverling engaged in his trade with considerable success, and in time became superintendent of construction of the Colebrook Furnaces, and was thereafter superintendent of their masonry department for sixteen years. In 1895, in partnership with Joseph Stroman, he started a stone quarry business, the object being to furnish stone to the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company, of Lebanon. This venture has proved a far-sighted one, and has won for its promoters large financial returns. At the present time Mr. Heverling is the possessor of a pleasant and com- fortable home in West Lebanon, and of other valuable property in the neigh- borhood. Considering that he started out in life with practically no outside assistance, his success is the more praiseworthy, and is encouraging to others similarly situated.
On February 22, 1872, Mr. Heverling married Sallie Euston, of Lebanon, Pa., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Thomas) Euston. Of this union there have been born eight children, six of whom are living: Louise, for the past twelve years a teacher in the Lebanon city schools; Clara, the wife of WVarner Clemmens, of Lebanon: Lizzie, also a teacher in Lebanon; Sadie, living at home; May, also living at home; and Harry. Mr. Heverling is a Republican with independent tendencies, and his religious convictions are of an equally broad nature. Fraternally he is associated with the Royal Arcanum, and is also identified with other social organizations in the town. Mr. Heverling is one of the prosperous business men and property owners of Lebanon, and he stands in close touch with the general well being of the community.
SAMUEL S. PEIFFER, a prominent business citizen of Lebanon, en- gaged in the manufacture of bed-springs and cots, belongs to one of the old families of Lebanon county. He was born September 22, 1857, in Bethel township, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Schack) Peiffer, the former of whom is a resident of Schuylkill county, though born in Berks county, and is en- gaged in the wood business. After his marriage he came to Lebanon county. and engaged in the produce business, having located in Bethel township. Prior to removing to Schuylkill county, he was bereaved of his wife, her
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 707
early death taking place at about the age of twenty-five years. She left two children, Levi S. and Samuel S. The mother of these children was born in Bethel township, a daughter of Samuel and Maria (Smith) Schack, and there married Isaac Peiffer. Jacob Peiffer, father of Isaac, was a substantial farmer of Berks county. Jacob Peiffer was actively identified with the Union Church of Millersburg, and in its shadow he lies buried. The family is of German origin. Isaac Peiffer married a second time, and is now well ad- vanced in years.
Samuel S. Peiffer was reared in Bethel township, and obtained an ex- cellent common school education, engaging in teaching after finishing his own course, both in Berks and in Lebanon counties, some fifteen terms in all, four of these being in the former county. From teaching, Mr. Peiffer went into the agency and. photographic business for some years, making many friends and gaining large experience, but in 1898 embarked in his present line, in Lebanon, in 1900 removing both home and place of business just out- side the city in North Cornwall township, where he purchased two acres of land, and erected a suitable building for his manufacturing. His product is principally sold through Berks county, and it is probable that soon trade connections will be formed in other directions, the ready sale of his goods making expansion soon necessary.
In 1885 Mr. Peiffer was united in marriage with Miss Ida C. Witmer, daughter of Henry and Caroline (Smith) Witmer, and the children born to this union are: Jennie M., Emma C., Witmer H., Ella M. and Bertha K. The religious connection of the family is with the Reformed Church. Mr. Peiffer is one of the intelligent, progressive and public-spirited men of his locality. During his residence at Mt. Zion, he served as justice of the peace. Both he and family are held in the highest esteem in North Cornwall town- ship.
VALENTINE HETRICK, one of the well-known farmers of North Annville township, Lebanon county, residing at Belle Grove, where he takes an active part in local affairs, was born in Hanover township, Dauphin county, November 12, 1851, a son of Levi and Jane ( Early ) Hetrick. The former was born in Dauphin county in 1783, and died in 1867. The mother was born in Hanover township, Dauphin county, in 1823, and died in 1900. Philip Hetrick, the father of Levi, had the following family : David, John, Henry, Sarah and Levi. On the maternal side of the house the Christian name of the grandfather was John. The children born to Levi and Jane (Early) Hetrick were as follows : Elizabeth, who married Samuel Ulrich, of Dauphin county ;
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Hezekiah, who lives at Swatara Station, Dauphin county; Martha, who married Jacob Clements, and is now deceased (her husband married Jane Stock) ; Edward, of Dauphin county; Mary Ann, who married John Berry, of Annville; John, who married Jane Allen; Valentine; Thomas, who mar- ried Sarah Brightbill, and they now reside at Shellsville, Dauphin county; Levi, who married Jane Hoffman, of Palmyra ; Rudolph, who married Ange- line Maulfair and lives at Shellsville; Sarah, who married John McCormick, of Shellsville; and Malinda, wife of Simon Cassell, of Shellsville.
Valentine Hetrick remained at home upon the farm until he was twenty- one years of age, when he was married and settled in Grantville, remaining in that locality for three years. At the expiration of that period, he purchased a fine farm of 124 acres of Moses Forney, and in 1898 he bought his excel- lent farm in North Annville. In political matters he is a Republican, and has served most acceptably as school director for four years. His religious home is in the United Brethren Church, of which he is a liberal supporter.
On January 1, 1874, Mr. Hetrick married Fanny Behim, who was born January 23, 1848, daughter of Christian Behm, and sister of Rudolph Behm, of Palmyra. The following interesting family was born of this marriage : Ida Fanny, born October 19, 1874, died March 21. 1876; Anna Jane, born July 29, 1876, married Amos Bomgarden, of North Annville, and has two chil- dren, Naomi and Harvey; Lizzie Agnes, born July 12, 1879, married Harvey Umberger ; Ida Fanny, born July 5, 1882, unmarried ; and Talbert B., born March 30, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Hetrick, as well as their family, are num- bered among the leading people of their locality and they take a prominent part in the social life of the neighborhood.
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