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 8
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DANIEL T. BORDNER. The Bordner family is one of the old and prominent ones of Lebanon county, and the first family record leads to Daniel Bordner, the great-great-grandfather of Daniel T. Bordner, who was born about 1750, and lived to be about ninety years old. He resided near Millersburg, Berks county, where he owned a farm, and his remains lie buried in the vicinity. Godfrey Bordner, the grandfather, settled in Union township and engaged in teaming between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, and he died in the latter city from a fever contracted on his last trip. He mar- ried a Miss Gassert, who bore him six children, namely: Daniel, who mar- ried a Miss Tobias ; John, who married a Miss Miller ; Godfrey ; Jacob, unmar- ried, who went to California in 1851 and was lost sight of; William, who moved to Indiana, where he married and reared a family ; Sarah, who married Solomon Rhine and located in Dauphin county, where she still resides, the mother of a family.
Capt. Daniel Bordner was born in 1807, in East Hanover township, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Union township and bought a store and hotel property, but seven years later turned the store over to his son, Daniel T. Until 1869 he operated the hotel and then rented it and removed to his property across the street. Capt. Daniel was an active and influential man in the State militia, with which he was connected for years, serving in 1845 as captain. In politics, during early life, he was an ardent Whig, and from the day the Republican party was formed under the oaks at Jackson, Mich., until his death, he was a radical member of it. He never sought or desired office, but was content to be a worker in the ranks, and was happy in the success of his party. Many times he was sent as a delegate to the conventions, and never failed to cast his vote. In 1828 he
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married Anna Maria Tobias, born in Berks county in 1808, and to them were born children as follows: Daniel T .: John, born in 1834, died in 1855; Katherine, born in 1835, married Henry Gingrich, and had one child, Lizzie, who married Will. S. Rise.
Daniel T. Bordner was born May 27. 1831, in East Hanover township, and resided there until 1850, when he came to Union township and entered his father's store. In 1868 he built the store and residence he now occupies, in Bordnerville, a village named for his family. Mr. Bordner conducts a first-class general store, and since 1872 has carried on farming. In that year he bought a farm of eighty-two acres, from John Copenhaver, and has been interested in placing it under a fine state of cultivation. In the store he is ably assisted by his son, Daniel Webster, who has almost grown up in the business, and has a thorough knowledge of the needs of country trade. In early life Mr. Bordner was a Whig, and cast his first vote for President for Gen. Scott, the last nominee of the Whig party. While not as radical in politics as his father was, he is a Republican, and heartily sustains the principles of that party.
On June 14, 1857, Mr. Bordner was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Weaver, born August 16, 1839, at Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Sherk) Weaver. Her ancestors on her father's side came from Holland in the seventeenth century and settled at New Amsterdam, New York, thence moving to Fredericksburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Bordner have been born these children: Lizzie, born January 30, 1858, married Rufus Good, and they have children, Sadie, Agnes, Annie, Jennie, Henry and William; Irwin, born November 12, 1859, is manager of a department in a grocery store in Chicago; Cora, born March 15, 1861, married Jacob M. Groh, and they have children, Maggie, John, Adam and Annie; Grant, born February 16, 1863, married Annie Sherk, and they have children, Annie, Daniel, Maggie, Samuel and Esther and Edith, twins; John Sherman, born September 16, 1864, married Ida Moore, who died leaving children, Ethel, Annie and Dora, and he married (second) Dora Estelle Carter (he is an extensive manufacturer, operating two glass factories, one at Alexandria, and the other at Richmond, Va., and employing about 500 men) ; William, Annic and Maria died in infancy; Henry Dawson, born April 1, 1869, married Annie Overholtzer, and has one daughter, Esther; Sarah Agnes, born December 12, 1870, married Samuel Groh, and they have children, Nancy, Daniel and Sarah: Daniel Webster, born September 31, 1872, unmarried, resides at home : and Jane Catherine, born February II, 1876, married George A. Speck, and they have one child, Ralph.
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ADAM BAHNEY, one of the substantial and representative citizens of Lebanon county, who for many years carried on an extensive business in Myerstown, as cabinetmaker, furniture dealer and undertaker, now lives retired from activity, although interested in many of the leading enterprises of this community.
Mr. Bahney was born February 10, 1839, in Millcreek township, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Bortner) Bahney, both of Lebanon county. The former was born in Lebanon county in 1808, and died in 1847. He was a son of Christopher, son of Thomas, son of Thomas, the founder, also known as Felty, who is supposed to have emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and who first settled near Mt. Aetna, in Berks county, the name being originally spelled Behney. Grandfather Christopher Bahney was the father of eight children, viz. : Isaac, Augustus, William, Jacob, Henry, Matilda, Eliza and Sarah. Isaac Bahney was married to Sarah Bortner, daughter of Jonathan Bortner, of Dauphin county, where the former was born and reared, and these children were born to this marriage : Aaron, of Reading; Christopher, deceased, of Urbana, Ohio; Adam, of Myerstown ; and Emma, the widow of John Waltz, of Lebanon City. For many years Isaac Bahney was a successful dealer in horses and stock. He was stanch in his adherence to the prinicples of the Democratic party. His religious membership was in the Reformed Church.
Until he was sixteen years of age, Adam Bahney remained in the local- ity of West Myerstown, and was there educated. At the above age he began to learn the cabinetmaking trade at Myerstown, on the very lot which he now owns. However, his health gave way and he was obliged to change his conditions and went to Lebanon, where he was employed for a time in the shops. In 1863 he came back to Myerstown and purchased the shops in which he had been employed as an apprentice. Here he established him- self in a very small way, as he had but limited means. That he is now a large property owner in this city, including "The Baliney House," the only first-class hotel in this place, one fine farmi in Jackson township, and valuable property in Myerstown, besides being interested in many prosper- ous enterprises of the vicinity, testifies to his diligence and perseverance, his prudent husbanding of his means, and to a temperate and industrious life. Mr. Bahney is an entirely self-made man, one who has given his close atten- tion to his own interests as well as to pleasing the public, and one whose career has been marked with an unswerving integrity, which makes his name but another, among his neighbors, for probity and honesty.
On May 10, 1866, Mr. Bahney was married to Sarah Noocker. a daugh-
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ter of Isaac Noocker, of Myerstown, and of an old family there. Two children were born to this marriage, namely : Lottie L., the wife of George H. Horst, cashier of the Myerstown National Bank; and Isaac N., who carries on his father's business at Myerstown. The mother of these children died May JI, 1881. Mr. Bahney was married, second, June 2, 1894, to Amelia Wilhelm, of Host, Berks Co., Pa., and a member of one of the most hon- orable old families of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Bahney are spending their lives in great ease at their pleasant home in this city, enjoying the esteem of all who know them.
Mr. Bahney has for a number of years been a member of the board of directors of the Myerstown National Bank, and is manager and a director of the Dauphin Turnpike Company. His religious membership has from early youth been with the Reformed Church, and he has served as treasurer and trustee. A stanch Republican, he supports zealously the principles; he believes will best advance the country's interests. Mr. Bahney stands as a representative man of Lebanon county, a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a lover of his city, home and family.
JACOB G. ADAMS, a well known attorney of Lebanon, and one of the leading exponents of the legal profession in Lebanon county, was born at Monroe Valley, Swatara township, Lebanon county, November 6, 1852, son of Samuel Adams.
Samuel Adams was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1800, and died in 1873, coming to Lebanon county in 1852. He married Susanna Gress, born at Muddy Creek, Lancaster county, the daughter of Jacob Gress, she being a widow when she married Mr. Adams, and had one daughter, Mary, who married John Martin, now of Hebron, Lebanon county. Mr. Adams was a widower and had two sons, Josiah S. and Amos S., both now of Lebanon : and one daughter, Rebecca, deceased, who was married to Jacob Heartter, of Tremont, Schuylkill county. Jacob G. Adams was the only child born to his parents. The grandfather, Jacob Adams, was born March 14, 1763. The Adams family came originally from Germany.
Jacob G. Adams was reared in Monroe Valley on the old farm, and attended the common school of his district, where he laid the foundation of a good education, remaining on the farm until sixteen years of age. Sub- sequently he commenced teaching school, spending one term at the Union township school; two terms at the Swatara school, and then four terms in Lebanon. During the time he was teaching school in Lebanon he read law with John Benson, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, members of the present
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Bar. Mr. Adams was admitted to the Bar January 1, 1877, and began prac- tice at once, meeting with unqualified success. In 1877 he was elected dis- trict attorney of Lebanon county, taking charge of the office January I, 1878, and during his occupancy of that office brought to bear upon his duties . his legal knowledge, calm judgment and keen foresight, which enabled him to make a record worthy of himself and his party. For three years Mr. Adams filled this office with distinction, and since then has acted as solicitor for the board of county commissioners for three years, and as solicitor for the county poor directors for a similar term.
Mr. Adams was married, September 18, 1879, to Laura E. Benson, daughter of John Benson, of Lebanon. To this union the following children have been born : Jolin B., who graduated from the Lebanon high school and in Deceniber, 1901, was appointed a clerk in the office of the United States consul at Aix-la-chapelle, Germany ; Robert L. and Paul G., twins, graduates of the Lebanon high school, who read law with their father, and are now students in the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania; Sarah and Laura E .; and five other children, now deceased.
JOHN K. SHERK, one of the oldest and best known farmers of North Annville township, Lebanon county, residing on his farm about one and a quarter miles from Belle Grove, was born about half a mile south of Belle Grove May 31, 1831, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Kauffman ) Sherk. The father was born in Hanover township, Lebanon county, in 1807, and died in 1872. The mother was born near Kauffman's Meeting House, in North Annville township, in 1806, and died in 1896, a daughter of Abraham Kauff- man. The paternal grandfather was John Sherk, who married Franey Ellenberger. The origin of the Sherk family in America is traced back to three brothers who emigrated from Europe. One settled near Ephrata, Lancaster county, Pa., one in Bethel township, Lebanon county, and the third in Hanover township, Lebanon county, the latter being the forefather of our subject.
John Sherk, the grandfather, had the following family: Jacob; John married Mary Wenger; Joseph died unmarried; Fanny, deceased, married Ephraim Light; Nancy died unmarried. The children born to Jacob and Elizabeth Sherk were: Moses, born October 14, 1827, married Mary Core ; John K.
John K. Sherk, the venerable subject of this sketch, remained at home. until his marriage, when he began life on his own account, operating a rented farm of fifty acres near Belle Grove. Through constant effort and
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thrift he managed to accumulate sufficient to purchase his present home of 113 acres, to which he removed about 1857. In addition to this property, which is a very fine one, he owns a farm of 104 acres in East Hanover township, and another in North Annville township, of 150 acres. He also owns twenty-four acres of timber land in the mountains, and a house in . Belle Grove, all of this property having been obtained by his own efforts.
Mr. Sherk was married to Elizabeth Light, born February 26, 1834, and died February 18, 1900. She was born near Gingrich Meeting House (Mennonite), in North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, a daughter of Abraham Light. The following family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sherk : Mary A., born in 1860, married John Wenger, and has one child, Elizabeth ; Jolın L., born October 6, 1862, married Naomi Fry, and has one child, Earl; Jacob E., born March 28, 1865, married Emma Fritz, and had four chil- dren, Charlie, John, Ralph and Jay, the last two deceased. Mr. Sherk has served as auditor of North Annville township, and is a man most highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities, nobility of character and honesty of purpose. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and is an earnest Christian and conscientious man.
LUCIAN E. WEIMER, treasurer and general manager of the Weimer Machine Works Company, and one of the most prominent citizens of Lebanon, Pa., was born in Reading, Pa., July 26, 1839, a son of William and Catherine (Lotz) Weimer.
The Weimers came originally from Germany. Catherine (Lotz) Weimer, the mother of our subject, was the daughter of Col. John Lotz, a son of Nicho- las Lotz, of the Revolutionary army. The Lotz family settled in Reading, Pa., at an early date. William Weimer was born in Reading, Pa., and on January 1, 1856, established what is now the Weimer Machine Works Company, on Seventh street, in company with his eldest son, P. L. Weimer, and Lucian E. Weimer. At this time the business was small, including foundry and machine work, but the same year they broke ground for the erection of a new plant facing the station of the P. & R. Railroad, east of Eighth street, and, when suitable buildings were erected, moved the plant, and began business at the new stand, January 1, 1857, where they have continued, although with greatly enlarged and extended facilities. In 1860 William Weimer retired from active business, turning the same over to his sons, P. L., John A. and Lucian E., and they continued the business under the firm name of P. L. Weimer & Bros. In 1879 the firm name was changed to that of Weimer Brothers, the members being the same. In September, 1879, John A. Weimer
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died, and in 1880, the company was incorporated as The Weimer Machine Works Company, with P. L. Weimer as president and chief engineer, and L. E. Weimer as treasurer and general manager. In September, 1892, P. L. Weimer died, and John A. Weimer, son of L. E. Weimer, was made president, L. F .. Weimer treasurer and general manager. The Company does a general machine and foundry business, and manufactures specialties for furnaces, the latter being made from patents owned by the company. The works are the oldest in that line in Lebanon county, and have enjoyed uniform success, the company being the pioneer manufacturing plant in the city. For almost three years during the Civil war, the Weimer Works were operated day and night, making gun lathes for the Scott Foundry of Reading, Pa., to manu- facture cannon for the government's use on fortifications and vessels. They also manufactured some five hundred wrought iron field pieces.
Lucian E. Weimer was raised in Reading, Pa., receiving an academic education. He began as a clerk in the works of his father and brother in Lebanon, January 1, 1856, and served a full apprenticeship in the foundry machine department, and about ten years on the drawing board. During this time, he was foreman of the works, and his brother, P. L. Weimer, was chief engineer, and from that time to the present, Mr. Weimer has been identified with this great industry. In political circles he has been a very prominent factor, serving as chairman of the Lebanon County Republican Committee, and in 1896 was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Republican National Convention at St. Louis, when the late President Mckinley was first nominated.
Mr. Weimer has always taken a great interest in local enterprises, and particularly in the fire department. For a number of years he was president of the Perseverance Fire Company, in which position he was succeeded by his son, John A. He was also a charter member of the Lebanon Hook and Ladder Company. For forty years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now a member of the different Masonic bodies from the Blue Lodge to the Knights Templar and Mystic Shrine, belonging also to the Elks and the Steitz Club, of Lebanon ; the Wymonissing Club of Reading. Pa .; and the Lebanon County Historical Society. He is president of the Lebanon Gas Company. He was also one of the organizers and charter members of the Lebanon Street Railway Company, and of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, of Lebanon, Pa. He was one of the organizers and charter members of the Mt. : Lebanon Cemetery Association of Lebanon, Pa., and has been its treasurer since its organization in March, 1870, and was the chairman of the com- mittee which selected the present site for the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.
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Mr. Weimer holds large real estate interests, and owns some of the best improved property in the city, including many of the leading business blocks. In 1891 he was elected president of the Valley National Bank of Lebanon previously having been a member of the board of directors, and he held that position until 1899. He was chairman of the building committee of that cor- poration when the present handsome structure was erected. Mr. Weimer married Miss Clara L. Wallis, of Milton, Pennsylvania.
JOHN A. WEIMER, ex-Mayor of Lebanon and President of the Weimer Machine Works Company, is one of Lebanon's most prominent and popular citizens. He is a son of Lucian E. Weimer, and was born in Lebanon, January 26, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of his own city. In the spring of 1879 he entered the office of the Weimer Machine Works Company, and took instructions from his father in financiering and superin- tending, and from that time to the present he has been connected with the concern. In 1883 he was made superintendent of the Weimer Machine Works Company, and in 1892 was made its president and general superintendent, which position he still holds. For a number of years he has been active in public matters and in politics, serving in common councils as a Republican from the Fourth ward in the years of 1887 and 1888, and in 1896 he was elected mayor, being the fifth one. Mr. Weimer is also president of the Per- severance Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a charter member and the first Exalted Ruler of the local Lodge of Elks. No. 631. He was one of the organizers of the Steitz Club and of various other organizations.
On October 24, 1889, John A. Weimer was married to Miss Florence Wiley, of Lancaster, Pa., a daughter of the late Col. William M. Wiley, a prominent and successful railroad contractor.
EDWARD MOORE, now residing on one of his large and attractive farms just south of Millbach, is one of the most promient agriculturists of Lebanon county, where he owns no less than three fine farms, and is putting into practice, with most excellent results. some of the most pro- gressive methods of agriculture. He was born January 23. 1837, son of Michael B. and Mary (Strickler) Moore.
The family is an old one in this section, and its first American repre- sentative was John George Moore, who came from Holland about 1720, and first settled in Schoharie county, N. Y. Later, about 1733. he moved to
John a Weimer nez
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Lebanon county, Pa., settling in the Millbach Valley, where he took out pat- ents of land, granted by John, Thomas and Richard Penn. Here he cleared up a fine farm for himself, and became one of the prominent men of the township. By his marriage there were two sons, John and Michael.
Michael Moore, son of John George, and grandfather of Edward, mar- ried and had several children: Michael B., John, Rebecca, Catherine and Mary, all of whom are now deceased, and Margaret, who is still living.
Michael B. Moore, son of Michael, and father of Edward, was born in 1807, and received the usual rearing of a farmer's boy of his period. About 1835 he married Mary Strickler, and they had two sons: Edward, who is mentioned below; and Daniel S., who is deceased; Mrs. Moore is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, residing at the home of her son, Edward. After his marriage Mr. Moore settled upon a farm near Mill- bach, where he afterward engaged in agriculture. Well laid plans and thor- ough execution of them crowned his efforts with success, and encouraged him to purchase other farms in the county, where he also carried on his industry with good results for many years. He became in time one of the largest landowners in the township, and as an agriculturist occupied a leading place in the county. He possessed a remarkable constitution, dying in 1899, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, three months and fifteen days. Mr. Moore was a remarkable manager, wherein lay his success as an agriculturist. He lent his influence to all good works and was especially interested in developing the resources of his county. He was one of the substantial members of the German Reformed Church. Politically he affili- ated with the Democrats.
Edward Moore has inherited both his father's ability and taste for agri- culture. Reared on the home farm in Millcreek township, he was there early initiated into that occupation. In the public schools of his vicinity he received a good common school education, developing habits of industry and trustworthiness which have characterized. him through life. Encour- aged by his father's successes in agriculture, upon leaving school he deter- mined to make a farmer of himself, and, settling upon a farm in Millcreek township, he there started life for himself. A short test proved he had undertaken the work for which nature had prepared him. Under his man- agement the old farm, which embraces sixty-five well cultivated acres, seemed to renew its life, producing large and valuable crops, and under fresh improve- ments taking on a new aspect. He has never married, but has for his house- hold companion his aged mother, who is now in her eighty-eighth year. In his agricultural pursuits he has branched out extensively, and besides
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the home place has two other large farms in the county, one embracing 207 and the other seventy acres. He has superintended the management of both these farms, in addition to carrying on the home place, and has derived from each a large income. He is now considered one of the wealthiest farmers and largest landowners in the county. As an agri- culturist he has taken great pride in his work, and vastly improved the build- ings and grounds of each place, making his farms especially attractive. They are well equipped with the latest improved machinery. Besides his real estate, Mr. Moore owns a great deal of personal property, and is the largest tax payer in Millcreek township. He has accumulated part of his property by his own efforts, the rest being inherited from his father. In the management of each, however, he has evinced much economy and shrewd business judgment. Though by no means an aged man, he has now retired from active work, and is availing himself of his well earned leisure.
Mr. Moore has always evinced a keen interest in the public affairs of his section, and in politics he has adhered strictly to the teachings of his forefathers, who since the organization of the party have been stanch Demo- crats. He is a strong advocate of the principles laid down by Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Reared in the German Reformed Church, he is a consistent member of the church of that denomination in Millbach.
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