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 80
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On September 1, 1867, Lieut. Layser married Mrs. Adeline (Moore) Person, widow of David Person, by whom she had three children : Maggie. who married Joseph S. Snyder, of Robesonia ; Milton, a merchant of Mill- bach Springs, and Emma, deceased wife of D. W. Brown, of Millbach. Mrs. Layser is now living at the home of her son David P. Lieut. Layser and wife had three children, only one of whom is now living. David P., who is men- tioned below.
Lieut. Layser possessed those strong forceful traits of character, which
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win success for a man at every step in life. As a business man he was energetic and farsighted. On the field of battle he was brave and faithful, and at the same time fortunate. He was a man of strong intuitions. As early as 1858 from an impression he had received from the banking up of clouds from the south and north in the sky, he felt convinced of the certainty of war, and of the victory for the North. "But for a strange presentiment." he once said, "Missionary Ridge would probably have been my last battle. I was lying behind a big wormwood stalk, when all at once it seemed as if some one said to me that I should change my position. I moved a little to one side, and the next instant a rifle bullet struck the place I had just vacated. My sensations can better be imagined than described."
David P. Layser was born August 10, 1873, and on the family home- stead in Millcreek township grew to manhood. In the public schools of his neighborhood he procured a good education, which he has later greatly sup- plemented by reading and observation. As the only son, upon reaching manhood he assisted his father somewhat in the work of the farm, and also in the creamery. He took up his abode on the old Layser homestead, and has there carried on a very successful agricultural industry, continuing his work very much as he has been instructed by his father. He is progressive, practical, and energetic, and has been thoroughly prosperous in his various enterprises.
On May 11, 1897. Mr. Layser married Jane Bamberger, who was born February 26, 1873, daughter of C. B. Bamberger, of Lebanon City. She is one of a family of ten children, the others being: Ida, who married Allen Fuse: Alice, who wedded Samuel Moyer; Alvin K., of Lebanon City; Lizzie, who married Howard legenfritz; and George, Annie, Charlie, Edna and Lydia, who all live in the city of Lebanon. Mr. and Mrs. Layser have three children : Howard, Mansuetes and Clarence Roosevelt.
Mr. Layser has an excellent standing among agriculturists and business men, and is highly respected in all circles. As a faithful member of the Schaefferstown Lutheran Church, he occupies a leading place in religious societies ; and as an unwavering Republican, his word counts for much in local affairs. He is interested in the promotion of home industries, and is considered a thoroughly public spirited young man.
The MOORE FAMILY, maternal ancestors of Mr. Layser, have for the past one hundred and fifty years been prominent in this section. J. M. Moore was among the pioneers of Lebanon county, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1763 he erected the stone house, which is still standing on the property now owned by his descendant, David P. Layser.
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The father of J. M. Moore came from Europe, and was among the early settlers of the State of Pennsylvania.
John Moore, son of J. M. Moore, and great-grandfather of David P., was also a well known citizen of Lebanon county, and continued the work of his father, assisting materially in the development of local industries.
Philip Moore, son of John, was the grandfather of David P., and his daughter was Adeline, who married Lieut. Layser.
HENRY SMITH, one of the representative citizens of North Cornwall township, residing on a fine farm three and one-half miles from the city of Lebanon, was born April 12, 1847. in South Lebanon township, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Gingrich) Smith, and a grandson of Peter Smith, ex- tended mention of whom will be found elsewhere.
Isaac Smith was born and reared on the old Smith homestead and lived there until 1868, when he sold that property and purchased a farm of 120 acres in North Cornwall township, the same being now owned by Philip Imboden. Here Mr. Smith carried on farming until his death, about 1884, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a man of great piety, a consistent member of the Mennonite Church. His life had been devoted to his family and he left them a large property as well as an honorable name. Six chil- dren were born to him and his wife, Catherine. daughter of Rev. Michael Gingrich, of South Annville township, namely: Anna. the wife of Jacob B. Kreider, of North Cornwall township: Catherine, the wife of Philip Im- boden, of North Cornwall township: Henry, of Cornwall; Aaron G. of Rex- mont, South Lebanon township; and two died in infancy.
Henry Smith was reared and educated in South Lebanon township, and has devoted his life mainly to agricultural operations, being a practical and progressive farmer. one of those who have been important factors in bringing farming to its present high standard in Lebanon county. After his marriage, at about the age of twenty-four years, he managed the home farm for three years and then removed to his own property, adjoining that of his father, a farm of 120 acres which Mr. Smith has spared neither time. indus- try or means to bring to a high state of cultivation. His buildings are sub- stantial, convenient and appropriate, and since the erection in 1898 of a fine modern residence, this has taken its place among the model farms of the county. In 1899 Mr. Smith gave up active work, finding enjoyment in many avenues which constant activity on the farm made almost impossible. He has always been regarded as one of the strong friends of popular educa- tion, and has faithfully served on the school board for eighteen years. He
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has been twice elected as director of the poor, the only man in the township who has been so honored, in succession. His known integrity contributes to the esteem in which he is universally held.
In 1871 Mr. Smith was married to Leah Bomberger, who was born .August 12, 1851, daughter of Samuel Bomberger. The three children born to this marriage were: Savilla, who died at the age of fourteen years; Isaac B., the farmner on the old homestead, who married Annie Gingrich, and they have two children, Stella and Mabel ; and Harry A., a young man at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with their son and his wife, are members of the Mennonite faith, most excellent, worthy people, who enjoy the respect of all who know them.
JOHN ARNOLD, J. S. No one could travel far in North Lebanon township without hearing the name of Arnold, representing one of the most numerous as well as respected old families of this section of Lebanon county, noted for its thrift and energy.
John Arnold, a member of the family mentioned. was born April 19, 1844. in Bethel township, near Mt. Zion, a son of Joseph and Maria (Bow- man) Arnold, the former of whom died May 14, 1888, aged sixty-nine years, ten months and fourteen days. The latter died March 5. 1853. aged twenty- seven years, ten months and twenty-five days. Both were worthy members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Lebanon.
Joseph Arnold was the youngest son of Harmon Arnold, and was born and reared in North Lebanon township, followed farming all his life, and became one of the leading men of his locality. He was a man who had made his own way in the world, was public-spirited and was deeply interested in charitable and church work, and was one of the trustees of St. Mary's Catholic Church to which he was ever a liberal contributor. His life of in- dustry and probity was an example which might be profitably followed by any young man who finds himself with his own way to make in the world. Seven children were born to Joseph Arnold and wife, namely : John : Henry H., a retired farmer of Pottsville: William B., a farmer of Jackson township: Mary Ann, who died in childhood; Clara, the wife of Ericus Hartman, of Swatara township: Rebecca M., the wife of Jacob Hollinger, of Philadelphia (has one child) ; and Mary, a resident of Lebanon.
John Arnold was but two years old when the family located in North Lebanon township on the farm now the property of Lorenzo Arnold, and here he was reared, attending the public schools. At the age of twenty-three he married and settled down to domestic life, for four years farming for his
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father, and then rented land in Swatara township. In March, 1886, he located on his present fine farm of II0 acres which he owns, and also has a thirteen-acre bit of valuable woodland. Mr. Arnold has devoted his entire attention to agriculture. and the result is shown in his fine farm, his sleek cattle, his prosperous dairy business and a fine milk route in Lebanon, the latter having been in operation for the past fourteen years, many of his cus- tomers being continuous since the beginning.
In June. 1867, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Maria Zweier, born April 5. 1846, in North Lebanon township, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth Zweier, and a large family of children has been born to this marriage, as follows: Elizabeth, who married Sylvester Arnold, of Lebanon; Joseph, who married Catherine Leibig and has three surviving children out of five, Annie, Willie and Mary (he lives at Paxtang, Dauphin county, where he engages in dairying and farming ) : Mary, who married Augustus Arnold, of North Lebanon township: Cecilia, who married George Tice, a farmer of Swatara township, and has four children, Gertrude, Henry, Paul and Annie: Rebecca, John and Sarah, who are at home; and Annie, who died in childhood. The religious connection of this family is with St. Mary's Catholic Church of Lebanon.
HARRY GEORGE LOUSER. The discoveries of the latter part of the nineteenth century have rapidly brought to the front a business which is assuming immense proportions, and which is yet in its infancy-that of elec- trical appliances. No magician's wand of Mediaeval times can match its wonderful achievements, and he, who at this early stage of the development of the industry, keeps pace with the different problems it is solving, will reap a hundred fold in the future. Realizing this fact the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this brief biographical mention has abandoned other lines, and is now engaged in the electrical supply business, and incidentally in the study of some of the problems which the new science is endeavoring to solve. His place of business is No. 119 North Ninth street, and he is a member of the firm known as the Lebanon Electrical Company.
Harry G. Louser was born at the old Louser homestead. corner of South Ninth and Chestnut streets, in the Second ward of Lebanon, August 4, 1872, son of George and Maria ( Fink) Louser. The mother was a native of Cornwall township, Lebanon county, where she was born in 1838, the daughter of Philip Fink, a blacksmith by trade. On the paternal side of the family Grandfather Jacob Louser was born in Lebanon in 1791, and died in 1869. He married Mary McConnell. born in the same year as her hus-
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band, and who died in 1867. The great-grandparents of our worthy sub- ject were Joannes and Christina Louser, the former having been born in 1762, and died in 1813, the latter born in 1765, and died in 1831. These early members of the family were prominent in their day in the business and social world, and left a progeny who are acceptably filling important positions.
George Louser, father of our subject, is remembered as having been especially active in the business circles of the city for a long period of years. The firm of Louser Bros. did business at the corner of South Ninth and Chestnut streets, and was one of the most prominent mercantile establish- ments in the city. It is practically still in existence, as the present firm of J. Louser & Bros. is its successor.
Mrs. Maria (Fink) Louser was a woman of strong and sympathetic temperament, and is remembered for her many kindly deeds of charity. She died in 1880, and her husband followed her in 1885. They were the parents of the following children : Kate, now deceased, was the wife of J. Harper Wentz, of Lebanon: Grant F., Lebanon; Jacob and Rebecca, twins, now deceased : and Harry George. The parents and earlier members of the family were devout members of Salem Lutheran Church.
Harry G. Louser was well grounded in the preliminary studies at the public schools and at the age of fifteen began work at the carpenter's trade. This he followed for a period of five years with the firm of Miller & Cilley. Subsequently he was in the office of Miller, Louser & Co., successors to the firm. In 1892 he became interested in the bicycle business which he operated for a year and then sold. Following this and until 1899, Mr. Louser was connected with the various planing mills of the city in different capacities, his skill in the handling of machinery making him a most valued hand. In the latter year, in company with W. H. Reinoehl, he organized the Lebanon Electrical Company, and which is proving a success under the energetic management of the firm.
In its public utilities the city has always had an active worker in our honored subject. He has been especially active in keeping up the reputation of the Volunteer Fire Department, for twelve years having been a member of the Hook and Ladder Company and for nine years its secretary and foreman. He also served most acceptably as assistant engineer of the Fire Department, and in 1899 received from the Mayor the appointment as superintendent of the Lebanon Fire Alarm System. To this latter office he has been twice re- appointed. He takes a keen interest in the affairs of the county, and is at present one of the efficient directors of the County Fair Association.
Of a naturally social and jovial disposition Mr. Louser finds enjoyment
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in affiliation with some of the best of the fraternal societies of the city. Of the Elks he is a prominent member. The Noble Order of Red Men enrolls him as one of its more active members, and he also belongs to the P. O. S. of A. A young man whose friends are myriad, a member of one of the most honorable of the old families of Lebanon, and of which he has shown himself no unworthy representative, with health and executive ability and a will to do, our honored subject is evidently just on the threshold of a brilliant future.
IRA J. LIGHT. One of the promising members of the younger gen- eration of business men of Lebanon is Ira J. Light, the successful proprietor of the Lebanon Valley House Livery Stables. He was born near New Market, Lebanon county, February 1, 1867, a son of John and Eliza (Mark) Light, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
John Light was for many years a prominent iron manufacturer in the vicinity of Lebanon, and during his time was one of the leading citizens of his locality. He was born in North Annville, Lebanon county, July 1. 1839, a son of Jacob Light, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Lebanon. Jacob Light was the father of five children: Sarah, the wife of Adam Mark, of Dauphin county, Pa .; Maria, the widow of Oliver Bowman, of Lebanon county ; Cyrus, foreman in the Lebanon Steel Company's plant ; John, the father of Ira J .; and Annie, the wife of George Allis, of Jonestown. John Light was a prominent Republican, and was a member of St. Paul's Evangeli- cal Church. About 1860 he married Eliza Mark, of this county, and of this union there have been born the following children, viz: Adam M., foreman in the Lebanon Steel Mills; Ira J .: Grant A., of this county: Harry J .; Albert G., a grocer, member of the firm of which Ira J. is a partner; and Matie E., living at home.
As a child Ira J. Light came to Lebanon with his parents, and here received the greater part of his education, which, however, was supplemented by a full course at the Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie. N. Y. His success is entirely due to his own perseverance, for he started out to care for himself with only $2.50 to his name. He has been in the livery business since 1890, and has met with the patronage due his honorable and enter- prising business methods. His interests are by no means self-centered, for he is a director in the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Lebanon, and is fraternally associated with the Elks, the Woodmen of America, and the Knights of Malta, and the Aid Society. He is a Republican in political affiliation, and is a member of the United Evangelical Church.
On August 3, 1892, Mr. Light married Amelia M. Fisher, daughter of
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C. Robert and Carrie Fisher, of Lebanon City. One son was born of this union, Charles Robert Light. Mrs. Light, who died October 27, 1898, left many friends to mourn her departure from accustomed haunts, her many lovable and womanly traits having endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Light is a believer in hard work and honesty, and he has a due regard for the interests of those who honor him with their confidence and help.
JOSEPH E. DISSINGER, one of the representative farmers of North Cornwall township, Lebanon county, was born at New Columbus, Ind., Jan- uary 7. 1865, a son of Joseph M. and Mary ( Engel ) Dissinger. residents of Bismarck, Lebanon county.
Joseph E. Dissinger was but a small child when the family returned to Lebanon county, which had formerly been their home, and he grew to man- hood, receiving a fair education in the common schools of Bismarck, while during the summer, he assisted his father burning lime. For the following thirteen years, he was employed in this line, but then located on his present farm, which he purchased of his father-in-law, Henry P. S. Witmer, first working for Mr. Witmer for four years before he took charge, in 1897. This farm contains 122 acres of as good farming land as is found in the county, lying at the foot of a mountain in West Cornwall township. Mr. Dissinger gives his entire attention to farming, although he is always ready and willing to give time and attention to the advancement of the general good of the community, or the advancement of the cause of the Republican party. He is also greatly interested in school matters, and has long been an active member of the school board. During the summer months, he attends the markets at Mt. Gretna, as he resides about one and one-half miles from that famous resort. Mr. Dissinger is a member of the P. O. S. of A., Bis- marck. Camp 70.
Mr. Dissinger was married July 3. 1886, to Miss Ella Ann Witmer, daughter of Henry P. S. and Caroline (Smith) Witmer, born in Cornwall township, October 17, 1868. Eight children were born to this union : Carrie M., born November 21, 1887; Irwin W., born July 8, 1890: Franklin E., born June 3. 1895, and five others who died in infancy.
Henry P. S. Witmer, the father of Mrs. Dissinger, was born on the Witmer homestead, where Mrs. Dissinger was also born and reared, and where she still resides, his birth occurring January 16, 1822, and his death on December 20, 1898. He was the son of Peter and Mary (Yorty) Wit- mer, and spent nearly all his life on the Witmer homestead, where he fol-
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lowed farming. In 1856, he removed to Lebanon where he spent some eight years, but returned to his farm life. During his long life, he took an active part in local affairs, serving acceptably as tax collector, assessor and mem- ber of the school board, and was always ready to assist those less fortunate than himself. His wife was born July 29, 1830, and died May 14, 1897. She bore her husband five children : Mary A., born December 18, 1852: Sarah A., born August 20, 1859, married John H. Snavely, and died May 30, 1882; John P., born December 21, 1861, married Mary A. Gibble, and died Feb- ruary 1, 1892; Ida C., born December 8, 1864, married S. S. Pieffer, of Cornwall township and Ella A. became Mrs. Dissinger. Mr. and Mrs. Wit- mer were members of the Reformed Church of Bismarck. Peter Witmer, grandfather of Mrs. Dissinger, was born September 16, 1787. His wife, Mary Yorty, was born January 29, 1789, and they were married March 17, 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Dissinger are consistent members of the Methodist Church, in which they take an active part. and they are both most highly esteemed throughout the community in which they have made their home for so many years.
JACOB W. STAEGER. The stability and importance of the Key- stone State lies in the fact that it has among its citizens men whose integrity cannot be impeached; whose lives are examples to the coming generations, and who have made a success out of very unpromising beginnings. Among such men as these may be mentioned Jacob W. Staeger of South Lebanon township. Lebanon county, whose birth occurred July 28, 1844, at the old Staeger homestead, on a portion of which he is still living.
The boyhood days of Mr. Staeger were spent upon the farm, and he received a fair education in the schools of the neighborhood. The portion of the homestead in his possession consists of ninety-one acres, all of which is in a fine state of cultivation, and is situated two miles southeast of Lebanon. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and has taken an active part in local affairs, filling the greater portion of the township offices. Being thor- ouglily posted on current matters. his advice has been sought. and he is recog- nized as one of the substantial, reliable men of the township.
On January 13, 1861, Mr. Staeger was united in marriage to Miss Har- riet C. E. Shaak, daughter of Joli and Anna Mary (Eby) Shaak, born May 1, 1845, in South Lebanon township, and eight children have been born of this union : J. Frank. at home: John S., of Lancaster county, who married Agnes Strong, and has three children, Richard. Harriet and Mary: Jonas Reuben, a merchant at Avon, who married Kate Rolland, and has three
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children, Annie, Earl and Rohland S .; Annie, deceased, who married Albert Phillips, and had one child, Mary Alice; Shaak W., an employe in the ma- chinery and belt works at Lebanon, who married Alice Dissinger, and has one child, Raymond; Bessie, who married Jonas Smith, of Midway; Harry, at home; and George, at home. Mr. and Mr. and Mrs. Staeger are members of the First Reformed Church of Lebanon, and the family are among the county's most worthy and respected people.
CHRISTIAN H. SNYDER, a member of the city council, and a well-known citizen of the Third ward, Lebanon, was born May 30, 1872, in South Lebanon township, Lebanon county, son of Jonas B. and Lydia ( Herr) Snyder.
The original settler of the Snyder family in Lebanon county (then a portion of Lancaster) was the great-grandfather, who came to this locality from his native land, Switzerland. The grandfather, Michael, was born in Lebanon county, as was his son, Jonas, father of Christian H., upon the same farm as the latter, November 16, 1842, while his wife was born August 17, 1844. To Jonas and Lydia Snyder were born : Michael, deceased; Christian H .; Elizabeth, wife of Monroe Hostetter, of Fontana, Lebanon county; Har- vey H., bookkeeper for Christian H. The grandfather on the maternal side was Christian Herr, and he married Elizabeth Schenk, born on the old Schenk place, near Buffalo Springs, an aunt to the well-known J. M., Daniel and Christian Shenk of Lebanon.
Christian H. Snyder was reared upon the farm in North Lebanon town- ship, but later the family removed to the farm of Moses Light, in North Cornwall township, Lebanon county. In the latter place he attended common school, and afterward the Normal School at Annville. Like a number of young men of his locality, his first venture in business life was as a school teacher, and for two terms he conducted a school in North Cornwall town- ship, Lebanon county. After his marriage, which occurred about this time, he returned to his father's farm in North Cornwall township, and conducted it for three years, when he settled at Hebron, near Avon, Lebanon county, and worked as a laborer for two years.
On March 27, 1898. Mr. Snyder removed to Lebanon, and engaged in the coal business at Donaghmore, where he has since remained. Mr. Snyder has always taken an active part in politics, and in February, 1901, was elected to the common council of Lebanon from the Third ward for the two year term. During the first year, he served very acceptably on the Fire and Highway Committees, and was reappointed to same when the new council of
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LEBANON COUNTY. 737
1902 assembled, although the majority is Republican, and he is a firm Demo- crat. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., K. of P., Modern Woodmen and Golden Eagles. In his religious relations, he is a member of the United Brethren Church.
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