USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 1 > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
John Roberts was first sergeant of First company, Captain Walker, of First battalion, Maj. G. B. Porter, of First regiment, Col. M. Kennedy, of First brigade, Gen. John For- ster, and of First division, Major General Watson, of Pennsylvania volunteers and
24
308
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
militia. Ilis regiment was composed of uniformed volunteers, except two companies of militia, one commanded by Captain Rose and the other by Capt. John Elder, brother- in-law to General Forster. At one time, the adjutant being absent, Jolm Roberts was ap- pointed and acted temporarily as adjutant. " After the war was over," and he returned to the State, his services in a military ca- pacity were as follows: On August 3, 1821, he was commissioned by Gov. Joseph Hies- ter as major of First battalion, Ninety- eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia, until August 3, 1828. But, on November 26, 1825, there was probably a vacancy, and being duly elected and returned, Major Roberts was commissioned, by Gov. John A. Shulze, to be colonel of the Ninety-eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia, to continue until August 3, 1828. That was probably the end of his military career.
Among the men who went from Harris- burg as volunteers in the company were two brothers, by the names of Ferdinand and Charles Durang, who belonged to a the- atrieal company then here. They were gentlemen, and were very popular. One of them had a fine voiee, and was a good musician. While the regiment lay at Balti- more, the Star Spangled Banner was written by Key, but it was without music. Durang's friends urged him to set it to musie and sing it. After looking over all the musie he had or knew, to find something suitable, he adopted the tune now always used as most appropriate. Having tried it, to the de- light of his friends in the regiment, he in- troduced it one evening unexpectedly on the boards of the theatre, and the audienee fairly raised the roof with their applause. Its popularity has never since been lost. In a selection of the old tunes published in " Blake's Evening Companion," by Blake, of Philadelphia, many years ago, it is called " Anacreon in Heaven, or the Battle of the Wabaslı."
Col. Jolin Roberts at the time of his death was the oldest member of the Dauphin county bar. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and very popular with all classes. He was a generous and earnest supporter of all schemes for the elevation of his fellow-men. His wife was Mary HI. Chambers, a native of Trenton, N. J. They had eight children, of whom four are living: Alexander, Eliza, widow of Dr. James Given, Annie, wife of James Parvin, of Holton, Kan., and Cath-
erine, wife of James H. Lowell, also of Ilol- ton, Kan.
Alexander Roberts received his education in the schools of Ilarrisburg, and began the study of law in his father's office. During the prosecution of his studies, he acted for a part of the time as chief clerk in the regis- ter's and recorder's office. He learned civil engineering and occupied himself in this business. He assisted in the survey of the Pennsylvania railroad, and was connected with the construction of the Middle divis- ion and the Pittsburgh end of the Pittsburgh division. A large portion of his life was spent in the active work of this business, but of late years he has comparatively ro- tired from it. Hle was married in Harris- burg to Charlotte. Geiger, a daughter of Bernard Geiger, who was also among the pioneers of Dauphin county. To them were born four sons: John, Alexander, Jr., James and George. Mrs. Roberts died in 1862. Mr. Roberts was an active promoter of the Harrisburg street railway and still holds the position of secretary of the com- pany. He is also a director of the Harris- burg Burial Case Company and Harrisburg Furniture Company. He is identified closely with other industries and enterprises. He is a man of broad intelligence, sound judgment, marked ability and genial tem- perament. JIe is a connecting link between the active present and the historic past. With pleasant memories of primitive strug- gles he mingles the still more pleasing re- alizations of resulting success, as displayed in the growth of the community and the building of a great city.
DAY, WILLIAM HOWARD, son of John Day (1783-1828) and Eliza Dixon (1793-1869), was born October 16, 1825, in the city of New York. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, in the private school of Rev. Frederick Jones, and prepared for college in the high school, Northampton, Mass., then in charge of Rev. Rudolphus B. Hubbard and Tutor Dwight, subsequently of Yale College. In 1843 he entered Oberlin College, graduating in 1847. He learned the art of printing in the Hampshire Gazette office at Northampton, and afterwards turned his attention to teaching and lecturing. In 1850 he was elected by the colored citizens of Ohio, at a State conference, to plead their cause before the Ohio Constitutional Con- vention. From 1852 to 1855 he edited The
309
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Aliened American, at Cleveland, having pre- viously been local editor of the Cleveland True Democrat, now the Leader. In 1861 he was invited to take the lecture platform in Great Britain, and remained there particularly at the request of the American residents from the North to explain to the people of Eng- land the issues at stake in the great civil con- fiet then transpiring in the United States. Returning to his native country he resumed his profession of teacher. In 1867 and 1868 he was superintendent of schools in the dis- trict of Maryland and Delaware under the United States Government. During the incumbency of Gen. Harrison Allen as aud- : itor general of Pennsylvania, 1872-75, he hield a clerkship in the corporation depart- ment of that office. In 1868 Mr. Day was ordained an elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion connection, and in 1875 and 1878 was secretary of the General Conference of that body. He was the first person of color elected to the board of school control of the city of Harrisburg, serving from 187S almost continuously to the present.
KELKER, HENRY ANTHONY, youngest son of Frederick and Catharine Kelker, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 16, 1825. He was carefully trained and instructed at home, and was afforded all the advantages of the best primary schools in the borough. Later he was for several years in the Harrisburg Academy, then under the superintendence of Prof. Alfred Armstrong, and in Novem- ber, 1842, entered the preparatory depart- ment of Marshall College at Mercersburg, Pa. His careful instruction in the home schools and his diligent application enabled him to enter college in a short time, when he took the regular course of study until May, 1846. He then returned to Harris- burg to arrange for a partnership with his brothers in the hardware business at the old stand established by his father in 1805.
After having consummated this object, he returned to college with the view of com- pleting the course and obtaining his degree, but was unexpectedly summoned home by the severe illness of his mother, which term- inated fatally, August 15, 1846. He then decided to abandon his college studies and to remain in Harrisburg, where he could give personal attention to his business.
The firm, composed of the three brothers, Rudolph F., Immanuel M. and Henry A., under the name of Kelker & Bros., con-
tinued in business until May, 1851, when Rudolph F. retired, and Henry A. continued with his brother Immanuel under the firm name of Kelker & Bro., at the old stand No. 5, now No. 9, South Front street, until September, 1857, when they removed to the southeast corner of Market square. During this partnership, which continued until April 1, 187S, a large and profitable trade was secured and the enviable reputation of the house fully sustained. At this date Henry A. withdrew and retired from busi- ness, disposing of his stock partly to his nephews, Luther R. and William A., and partly to his brother, Immanuel M.
Mr. Kelker has always held the opinion that it was better for the citizens to invest their surplus capital in home enterprises, since they can in this way more certainly benefit their own private interest and more effectually promote the growth and pros- perity of the community. That he has made this principle the foundation of his own course, his prominent and wide con- nection with important commercial and in- dustrial local organizations will show. He has served for many years as a director of the Harrisburg National Bank, as well as of the Chestnut Street Market Company, of the Harrisburg Gas Company, of the Harris- burg Steam Heat and Power Company, is also a director of the Pennsylvania Tele- phone Company and the Harrisburg Trac- tion Company, president of the Harrisburg City Passenger Railway Company since its reorganization in 1874, and of the Harris- burg Burial Case Company, and Harrisburg Furniture Manufacturing Company. Ile was one of the proprietors and founders of the town of Baldwin, which subsequently took the name of Steelton, and became the seat of the magnificent plant of the Penn- sylvania Steel Company. He has erected some of the most substantial buildings in Steelton, among which are the bank and postoffice blocks.
In matters of a political nature, Mr. Kelker has clear and decided views and finds himself more nearly in harmony with the Republican party, but is not in any sense an active partisan. He has served as a member of the common council of the city of Harrisburg, not however as a politician, but in the fulfilment of duty as a conscien- tions and patriotic citizen. Mr. Kelker is now and has been for a number of years a trustee of the Reformed Salem church of
310
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Harrisburg, with which church he united April 6, 1845, by certificate from the Re- formed church at Mercersburg, Pa., which he had joined while at college.
On the 11th of October, 1855, he married Ellen, daughter of Col. John Roberts and sister of Alexander Roberts, of both of whom biographical sketches appear in this volume. The children of this union were: Frederick A., John Roberts, Mary Anna, Anne Roberts, Henry A., Rudolph F., Ellen, Edith V., and Katherine M. Of these, Frederick A., John R. and Rudolph F. died in infancy ; the others are residing in the homestead with their father. Mrs. Kelker departed this life on the Sth of February, 1893. She was a most affectionate mother, faithful wife and a worthy member of the Reformed Salem church, and adorned her profession by a godly lifc.
GREENAWALT, JACOB, was born in Harris- burg, Pa., August 10, 1826. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Krause) Grecnawait ; a sketch of his parents appears elsewhere in this volume. He was educated in the sub- scription schools, and learned the trade of tanner and currier in his father's tannery, where he worked for twelve years.
In 1852 he and his brother Jeremiah K. engaged in the leather and shoe finding business at the present site of King's hard- ware store, on Market street. In 1854, at the death of their father, these brothers took his business at the appraisement, and con- ducted it for some years. They finally sold this interest to William Calder, and pur- chased a site from General Cameron and Dr. Robert Harris, on the corner of Eleventh and Paxton streets. Here they erected buildings, and equipped a tannery which they con- ducted for about twenty years. They re- moved to Seventeenth and Derry streets, and started a tan yard. They were joined by tlicir brother, Major T. D. Greenawalt, and under the firm name of Greenawalt Bros. continued this business until 188S.
In 1863 they purchased a three-story property on Market street, below Second street, of Kelker Bros., added two stories to the building, and removed to that location their salesrooms and their finishing shops. They continued their leather store until 1892. They manufactured harness, sole, kip, upper and calfskin leathers, and found market at home and in foreign countries. The excellence of their manufactures was
such as to enable them to win medals in various expositions, at home and abroad. The increased cost of transportation of bark from a distance reduced the profits of their productions, and caused them to retire from business.
Mr. Greenawalt is a stockholder in the Ilarrisburg Gas Company, the Harrisburg Electric Light Company, and the Harrisburg Traction Company. He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, A. Y. M., and Royal Arch Chapter. His polities are Republican.
He was married in 1879 to Miss Julia, daughter of John Pifer, a native of P'russia, who served in the German army, came to America and settled in Wormleysburg, and from there moved to Harrisburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt are Catherine, Theodore David, Julia Louisa, deceased, Bertha May, Mary Elizabeth, and Charles David. Mrs. Greenawalt is a mem- ber of the German Catholic church.
- LAROSS, DAVID HENRY EARNEST, the son of Rev. Joseph LaRoss and Elizabeth Earn- est, was born January 9, 1827, at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa. His father died when his son was an infant, and his mother, an exemplary woman, when he was eleven years of age. Thus carly left an orphan he was thrown upon his own resources for a liveli- hood. After varied employments he returned to Hummelstown with his maternal unele, and shortly after apprenticed himself to the trade of cabinet-maker. After serving his time he began clerking at Harrisburg, where he remained several years, at the same time closely applying himself to study. He sub- sequently entered Lafayette College, Easton, where he remained two years, his limited means not permitting him to remain for graduation. He then began teaching as a profession. In 1860 he was first elected county superintendent of public schools, in which position he served until his death, except in 1872, when he was elected to a term of office by a vote of sixty-five out of ninety polled, yet, owing to some defect and objec- tion by several boards of directors, the per- son who received the next highest number of votes was commissioned superintendent. Ile was, however, re-elected in 1875 and in 1878, and again in 1881, when his vote. was almost unanimous. Professor La Ross died at Hummelstown, Sunday, October 22, 1852. in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Professor LaRoss married, in 1853, Sarah A. Coil, of
311
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., who died in January, 1867, and there was issue: Joseph, John, Mary, Gertrude, married Eli Kline, of Allentown, Carroll, Robert, Sarah, and Eva. He next married Annie W. Bren- neman, of Elizabethtown, Pa., who died two · years afterwards without issue. In 1872 he married Fannie Hummel, of Hummelstown, and there was issue: Fannie, Claude and Edna. .
HOYER, GEORGE, retired, was born in Hogestown, Cumberland county, Pa., August 3, 1828. He is a son of Jacob and Lucetta (Brua) Hoyer. George, the father of Jacob Hoyer, a native of York county, came to Harrisburg about 1780. He purchased land from the Harris' in what is now Market square. He traded in general merchandise, and built the "Popular Tavern," of which he was proprietor for many years. After the organization of the borough of Harrisburg, he was elected its first chief burgess. He was one of the organizers of the Harrisburg Bank. In politics he was Democratic. He was a member of the German Reformed church, and helped to organize the church on Chestnut street. He married Miss Cath- erine Schultz, of York county. He died in Harrisburg in 1841; his wife died in 1835. They had one son and three daughters: Jacob, Susan (Mrs. Philip Smyser, of York county), Sarah and Eliza, maiden ladies ; all are deceased.
Jacob Hoyer, father of George second, was born in Harrisburg in 1793. He received his education in the subscription sehools. He dealt in general merchandise, first in Ilogestown, and afterwards in Harrisburg ; he also kept a hotel on Front street, between Chestnut and Market streets. He was a private in the army in the war of 1812. He was a member of the German Reformed church. His wife was a native of Harris- burg, and a member of the Lutheran church. He died May 21, 1834; his wife, in 1860. Their eight children were: George P., de- ceased ; B. Franklin, of Harrisburg ; Sarah Ann, Catherine (Mrs. Ambrose Taylor), Charles, teacher in a private school; George; Jacob, a dentist, was lieutenant in the Twelfth U. S. infantry during the Rebellion ; Joseph, a tinner, was first lieutenant of the First U. S. cavalry, and was killed in the Shenandoah Valley; all are dead except George and B. Franklin.
George Hoyer was educated in the. com-
mon schools. He learned tin and iron working, and followed that trade for thirty years, after which he retired from active business.
In 1850 he married Miss Justina, daugh- ter of William Hippey, of Columbia, Lan- caster county. He has six children living and two dead: Louisa, (Mrs. Frank With- erau), of Harrisburg ;. Charles, diced young ; Justina, died young; William, of Harris- burg, printer; J. Brua, of Chambersburg, private secretary to the president of the Cumberland Valley railroad ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Benjamin Boggs), of Harrisburg; Josephine and George R.
Mr. Hoyer is a Republican. IIe and his family are prominent members of Zion Lutheran church, Fourth street, Harrisburg.
- DUEY, SIMON, was born in Susquehanna township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 1, 1829. He is a son of Frederick and Barbara (Peiffer) Duey. His father was born in East Hanover township, Dauphin county, Mareli 24, 1796, and died in Susquehanna township, December 4, 1855. His mother was born in Lebanon county, Pa., June 14, 1804, and died November 15, 1857. His grandparents, Emanuel Duey, a soldier in the Revolution- ary war, and wife, had nine children : John, born February 15, 1783; Simon, born De- cember 11, 1784; Susanna, born November 29, 1786; John, born August 18, 1789; Cath - erine, born November 11, 1791; Mary, born December 14, 1793; Frederick, born March 24, 1796, Eva, born October 22, 1798; Eliza- beth, born April 3, 1805; all long since de- ceased. His father and mother, Frederick and Barbara Duey, were married March 21, 1822. They had twelve children : Caroline, born November 8, 1823, widow of the late Paul Barnhardt, of Harrisburg; Elizabeth, born October 1, 1825, wife of Samuel Stober. of Harrisburg; Mary Ann, born October 26, 1827, deceased; Simon; Susannah, born February 19, 1832, deceased ; Jacob, born December 5, 1834, killed while serving in the defense of his country in the late war; Ann Catherine, born April 11, 1837, wife of Jesse Long, of Northumberland county ; Fanny, born February 15, 1839, deceased; Harriet, born March 12, 1842, wife of David W. Miller, of Harrisburg; Leah, born Novem- ber 15, 1843, died April 1, 1851 ; Frederick, born December 11, 1844, killed while serving in defense of his country in the late war; and
312
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Rebba, born May 4, 1844, died March 29, 1851.
Simon Duey was reared to manhood in Susquehanna township, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools. He worked on the farm until he was twenty years of age, and then learned carpentry which he fol- lowed for ten years. The following twenty years he spent in agricultural pursuits in Susquehanna and Lower Paxton townships. In 1870 he was elected register of wills, which office he held for six years, meanwhile remaining on the farm and superintending its operation. In 1879 he was appointed warden of the Dauphin county prison, and filled the office for four and a-half years. He also served as auditor of Dauphin county from 1867 to 1870. Since 1884 he has not been engaged in active business.
Mr. Duey was married in Lower Paxton township, December 25, 1853, to Susan Zar- ker, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Faler) Zarker, both natives of Dauphin county. Mrs. Duey was born in Susque- hanna township, Dauphin county, Pa., May 9, 1832. They have two daughters, Mary A., born August 5, 1854, wife of John H. Smith, of Harrisburg; and Sarah E., wife of Andrew R. Unger, a prominent farmer of Lower Pax- ton township.
Mr. Dney is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. In political views he is a staunch Republican. The family at- tend the Lutheran church. Mr. Duey las well discharged the public trusts committed to his hands, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of liis neighbors.
GREENAWALT, JEREMIAHI K., was born in Harrisburg, Pa., July 30, 1830. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Krause) Greena- walt, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this book. He was educated in the sub- scription schools. He learned the trade of tanner and eurrier with his father.
He engaged in the leather business with his brothers, taking charge of the finishing department. During the late war his firm filled extensive orders from Lacy & Phillips, of Philadelphia, who had large contracts with the Government for supplying the army with leather goods. He is a practical judge of leather, and known as an expert. He was importuned by many large leather dealers in Philadelphia, Pa., to apply for the position of leather inspector and the posi- tion was promised him by Governor Curtin,
but he failed to secure it on account of ad- verse political influence.
Mr. Greenawalt is a stockholder in the Harrisburg Traction Company and the Chestnut Street Market Company.
He was married, November 18, 1858, to Miss Annie Louisa, daughter of George Wolfersberger, of Harrisburg, by whom he had four children : Augustus William, died in infancy, Edwin J., postal money order clerk, Harrisburg P. O., Regina C., and Jer- emiah K., Jr., secretary and treasurer of the Harrisburg Steam Heat and Power Con- pany.
Mr. Greenawalt is a Republican. IIe is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church.
WINGERT, JESSE, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., March 4, 1833. 1Ie is a son of John and Mary (Heckendorn) Wingert. The Wingert family are of German ancestry. John Wingert was born in Georgetown, D. C., came to Harrisburg with his parents when a boy, and resided here continuously until his death. Ile served in the war of 1812. He was a weaver, and followed that occupation. He died in 1837.
The Heckendorn family are of Swiss ex- traction. They settled at Jonestown, Pa., at an early date. On account of troubles with the Indians, they abandoned their home there, and located in York, Pa. Mary Heckendorn, mother of Jesse Wingert, came with her parents to Harrisburg in 1804, and resided here until her death. John and Mary Wingert had a family of eight chil- dren ; a daughter, Mary, widow of Michael Goodwin, residing in Philadelphia, and their son Jesse are the only living mem- bers of the family. Joseph, a son, was killed at the battle of Vicksburg; Charles died in Harrisburg in September, 18S9; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Martin, died in Harrisburg in 1850. Three other children died young.
Jesse Wingert has spent his whole life in Ilarrishurg. He received his education in the city schools. He learned bricklaying, but followed that occupation for only one year after his apprenticeship. For the next seven years he was engaged in the sale of building sand. Since that time he has been in the real estate business. In August, 1864, he enlisted in company L, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania volunteers, as a private. In the same year his company was attached
313
DAUPILIN COUNTY.
to the One Hundred and Ninety-ninth regi- ment, becoming company E of that regi- ment, and Mr. Wingert was promoted to be its second lieutenant. He served in this regiment until the close of the war, taking part in the engagements around Peters- burg, Va.
Jesse Wingert was married in East Penns- boro' township, Cumberland county, Novem- ber 20, 1865, to Barbara, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary (Renninger) Blust. They have no children. -
Mr. Wingert has been assessor for one year. He has represented the Sixth ward for one term in common council. He is a director in the Merchants' National Bank, and in the Central Safe Deposit and Guar- antee Company ; also in the Safe Deposit Building and Loan Association. In politics Mr. Wingert is an independent voter, aim- ing always to support the most worthy men, irrespective of party. Mr. Wingert is ex- ecutor of the Downey estate, and is com- mittee for George W. McKee, in the McKee estate. He has also settled other estates to the entire satisfaction of every one con- cerned. He is a member of Grace M. E. church. Mrs. Wingert is a member of St. Lawrence's Roman Catholic church.
- Dr. Joseph Blust, the father of Mrs. Win- gert, is one of the oldest residents of Harris- burg, and the oldest physician. He was born in Baden, Germany, October 28, 1804, received his education in his native land, came to America with his parents in 1817, and lived in Lebanon county, Pa. There he read medicine under Dr. Mish and other eminent physicians. He began the practice of his profession when he was twenty-nine years old, in Cumberland county, and re- mained there until 1865. In this year he removed to Harrisburg, and practiced until a few years ago. He was married, January 4, 1838, to Mary Renninger, who died in Harrisburg, July 8, 1889. They had three children : Margaret, born January 15, 1839, died March 18, 1869; Barbara, wife of Jesse Wingert, born June 4, 1840; Joseph, born May 15, 1846, married Mary Webber, May 14, 1870, and resides in Hampton township, Cumberland county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.