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 54
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stockholder in the Halifax Bank, of which his father was one of the organizers. He is a member and trustee of the Halifax Lodge, P. O. S. of A. Mr. Noblet was married to Miss Mary E. Spiese, of Halifax, by whom he has one child, Harry S. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of Halifax.
-MILLER, CHARLES A., city clerk of Harris- burg, and clerk of the common council, was born at Harrisburg, June 28, 1850. He is a son of Francis Xavier (more generally known as X.) Miller and Elizabeth (McMillan) Miller. His grandfather Miller was a na- tive of Switzerland, and spent his life in his native land. His father, Francis X., was born in Tagerfelden, Canton Aargau, Switz- erland. He came to America in 1842, and located in New York City, where he worked at his trade of shoemaking for three years. In 1845 he removed to Harrisburg, and en- gaged in business on his own account. He was well known as "X. Miller, the French boot and shoe maker." He was an expert at his business, having learned the trade in Paris, and did an extensive business for those days. Elizabeth A. (McMillan) Miller, mother of Charles A., was born at Round Top, Dauphin county, Pa., January 22, 1825. His parents were married at Harrisburg, in 1847, and had fourteen children, four only of whom lived to maturity: Charles A., Mar- cellus I., Francis X. and Clotilda Regina, wife of Capt. H. A. Perkins, late of the Gov- crnor's Troop, and now residing in New York City. She was born March 28, 1852, and died September 17, 1892.
Charles A. Miller received his education in the public schools and academy of Har- isburg, and is a graduate of the latter. His whole life has been spent in this city. He learned printing with the late George Berg- ner, and continued in this business for twenty years. In 1881 he was appointed foreman of the Harrisburg Telegraph, and efficiently filled this position until 1885. In that year lie was elected to the State Legisla- ture, and resigned his business position, that he might be free to devote his time and strength to thic duties of his office. In March, 1887, Mr. Miller introduced the Star carpet cleaning business in Harrisburg, which was a new process for cleaning carpets. He continued in that business for four years. In 1891 he was appointed clerk of the com- mon council, and shortly afterwards was
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elected city clerk, in joint convention ; he is the first and only person who has ever filled that office. In addition to these offices Mr. Miller was also a member of the common council from 1880 to 1883, and in 1882 was chosen president of that body. He was a member of the select council from April, 1883, to Deeember, 1884, resigning this office when elected to the Legislature. Ile was the first chairman of the joint commit- tee of councils for arranging for the conten- nial celebration in 1885. He again served in the common council during 1888-89.
Mr. Miller was married at Harrisburg, October 16, 1879, to Rebecca Manger, daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Hnmmel) Mauger, born at Harrisburg, November 28, 1856. They have two daughters: Anna M., born December 28, 1880, and Mary Regina, born March 7, 1885. In political views Mr. Miller is a good staunch Republican. The family attend the Messiah Lutheran church.
GERMAN, JOHN W., was born in Harris- burg, October 27, 1851. He is the son of Emanuel S. German, who was born in Har- risburg in 1821, whose father, Philip Ger- man, a native of Germany, came to Harris- burg in 1800, and established a brewery, celebrated for its "Cream Beer," and con- ducted it for many years ..
Emanuel German, father of the subject of this sketch, established the first exclusively religious bookstore in the United States, at Harrisburg, in 1841 or 1842, and conducted it till 1878, when he was succeeded by his sons. He carried a stock of strictly church and Sabbath-school literature and his store was the headquarters of theological students. He lives retired from active life. Hc was first a Democrat, but upon the organization of the Republican party he joined that po- litical organization, and has remained with it until the present time. He is a member of the Lutheran church. He married Sarah Jane Westfall, whose father came from Alle- gheny, and who was the proprietor for many years of the celebrated Black Tavern of Harrisburg, and who died in this city. They had seven children: Philip, of the Harrisburg bookstore; Sarah E., wife of Rev. J. S. Detweiler ; John W .; Inther W., dentist, of Louisville; James W., auditor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Pittsburgh ; Grace II., wife of Orville Cham- berlin, of New Orleans, La .; Charles II. H.,
of Lonisville, Ky., book-keeper ; one daugh- ter, Mary E., died in 1863.
John W. was reared in this city, and was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of printer and subsequently en- tered his father's store, and became book- keeper. In 1878 he and his brother sue- cecded to their father's business, and con- tinucd it to 1882, when he went to Dakota. Returning to Philadelphia in seven months, he became agent for the Travellers' Insur- ance Company, of Hartford, Conn. In 1884 he was appointed special agent of the Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, of New York. January 12, 1886, he became one of the or- ganizers of the Harrisburg Board of Trade, was elected the third secretary of the same, and has served in that office uninterruptedly since 1889. He was prominent in locating the Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing Com- pany and other industries in this city. Mr. German is prominently identified with the P. O. S. of A. He is active in the Republi- can party. He was married in 1877 to Miss Ida M. Wright, daughter of Theodore Wright, editor-in-chief of the Philadelphia Record. They had two children : Helen I., deceased, December 7, 1895, and John W., Jr. They arc members of the Lutheran church.
COWDEN, MATTHEW B., city engineer, was born in Susquehanna township, December 1, 1851. He is a son of John W. and Mary E. (Hatton) Cowden, both natives of Dauphin county, where they spent their lives, and where they died in 1872. The father was a civil engineer, and served as city surveyor of Harrisburg for a number of years. He and his wife had ninc children, cight of whom are still living: Margaret, wife of Samuel N. Hamilton, of Beaver county, Pa. ; Frederick H., of Harrisburg; Sarah, wife of Homer H. Cummins, of Harrisburg ; Eliza- beth B., wife of Matthew Beck, of New Jersey ; Matthew B .; Ellen J., wife of Stephen Hubertis, of Harrisburg; Josephine W., of Harrisburg, and W. K.
Matthew B. Cowden came to Harrisburg when he was five years old. He was edu- cated in the city schools, and also attended the Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1872. He engaged in the work of civil engineering, serving for one year with the Texas Pacific railroad, in Texas, since which he has been employed in this occupation in Harrisburg. He was elected city engineer in 1874, and
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for twenty-one years he has performed the work of this office with skill and fidelity. Mr. Cowden was married in Harrisburg, in 1875, to Mary HJ. Bueller, daughter of Charles and Sarah Buchler, a native of Dauphin county. Two children have been born to them : . Nellie E., deceased, and Edward C., born in 1879. Mr. Cowden is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F. In political views he is a Republican. The family attend Zion Lutheran church. 2
BUSER, H. WELLS, ex-sheriff, was born in Hummelstown, November 12, 1853. Hc is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Gish) Buser. The father was a native of Londonderry town- ship, Dauphin county, Pa., the mother of Hummelstown. The father was a butcher, and carried on his business at Hummels- town for forty-five years. He was a promi- nent man, an active politician in the Demo- cratic party, a member of the Odd Fellows, and belonged to the Reformed church. He died in September, i891. His wife survives him. They had twelve children : George, of Harrisburg, butcher; Annie, wife of Harry Crist, of Steelton; Ellen, wife of David Yet- ter, of Steelton; Martha, wife of Joseph Fletcher, of Steelton; Joli, of Steelton; Adeline, wife of James Geiger, of Harris- burg; H. Wells; Ida, wife of H. W. Solo- mon, of Harrisburg; Jennie, wife of Jacob Hummel; Alice, wife of Chris. Coalmer, of Philadelphia; Curtiss, of Hummelstown, and Margaret.
H. Wells Buser received his education in his native town. He learned the moulder's trade, but did not follow this occupation. He was clected to the office of constable for a term of six years. He served as post- master for four years and two months dur- ing Cleveland's administration. He was clerk of the Democratic State Committee in the Pattison campaign. He was clerk in the adjutant general's office, and served until September 1, 1892. He was appointed by the governor to fill the office of sheriff, made vacant by the death of Sheriff Keller. HIe was one of the organizers, and is a stock- holder of the Water Company of Hummels- town; one of the organizers and a stoek- holder of the American Publishing Associa- tion, of Pittsburgh. Mr. Buser is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F .; past national representative in Junior Order American Mechanics five years, and past State officer for three years. In politics he
is a Democrat, and was secretary of the county committee for thirteen years.
H. Wells Buser was married, in 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Hummel, of Hummelstown. They have six children: Frank D., Harry W., Edith, Lulu, Grover C. and William McC. He is a member of the Reformed church of Hummelstown.
RUDY, C. LANDIS, ice dealer and ex-president of select council, was born near Harrisburg, July 7, 1856. He is a son of Joseph and Esther (Landis) Rudy. His grandfather Rudy was a native of Zurich, Switzerland. He was driven from his native land with others by religious persecution. He settled in Lebanon county, Pa., at a very early date in the history of the county. The parents of C. Landis were both born in Dauphin county, Pa. The mother died September 14, 1870; the father is still living, retired and resides at East Merc. He was twice married. To the first marriage there were born nine children, namely : John, a prominent farmer of Lower Paxton township; Frances, wife of Reuben H. Althouse, residing in Harrisburg ; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Strickler, of Pen- brook, Pa., deceased; Joseph Rudy, Jr., a prominent farmer of Susquehanna township; Sarah A., wife of Walter Trullinger, residing in Susquehanna township ; Nettie E., widow of the late Dr. D. R. Hocker, residing at East Mere; C. Landis; Mary A., wife of George Hain, residing in Harrisburg; and Abraham F., residing in Philadelphia. His second wife, who still survives, was Barbara Mumma, and to this second marriage there was born one child, Jonas M., stenographer, of Harrisburg.
C. Landis Rudy was educated in the pub- lic schools and Professor Seiler's academy, of Harrisburg. He also attended the Dickinson Business College, of which he is a graduate. In 1874 he engaged in the ice business, which he has conducted for over twenty years. He is also extensively engaged in buying and selling land, and ranks among the most prosperous and progressive business men of the city. He was married in Ilarris- burg, October 22, 1879, to Miss Belle M. Brittain, daughter of Samucl and Melinda (Brittain) Brittain, of English and Scotch- Irish ancestry, the former deceased, the latter living and residing with Mr. Rudy. To them have been born five children, only one of whom is living, namely, Marguerite B., born May, 1887. In political views Mr.
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Rudy is a Republican, and has been an active worker in the ranks of the party for the past eighteen years. The family attend the Salem Reformed church.
-BLACK, ALFRED T., ex-treasurer of the city of Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg, October 26, 1856. He is a son of Abraham K. and Rebecca (Clark) Black. He received his education in the public schools and the Harrisburg Academy. He learned brick- laying of his father and uncle, and followed this business from 1872 to 1885, when he was elected to the office of city treasurer. He was re-elected for four successive terms, and performed the duties of the office with great credit to himself and with the utmost satisfaction to the public.
In 1877 Mr. Black joined the Hope Fire Engine Company, and has since taken an active interest in the fire department of the city. In 1886 he was elected president of the company. In 1890 he was elected presi- dent of the State Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania, and represented the State as- sociation in the National convention of fire- men, at Louisville, Ky., in 1892. In politics he is an active Republican, and takes a great interest in all matters pertaining to the party. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Chapter, Commandery, and Consis- tory, and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of Honor, Red Men, etc.
Alfred T. Black was married in January, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Fager, daughter of Albert J. Fager, of Harrisburg, by whom he has three children : Andrew K., Alexander Ramsey Speel, and Robert Fager.
Mr. Black is a member and one of the or- ganizers of "The Club," and is on the gov- erning committee of the same. He and his wife attend the M. E. church.
-BRUBAKER, CHARLES J., chief clerk to the county commissioners, was born in the bor- ough of Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., October 10, 1857. He is a son of Henry and Mary R. (Shammo) Brubaker. Jacob Bru- baker, the grandfather of Charles J., was a native of Lancaster county, Pa. IIe settled in Halifax township, Dauphin county, and engaged in farming. Ile was a member of the M. E. church. He had nine children : Joseph, John, Jacob, Isaac, Henry, Hiram,
Benjamin, and two daughters, all of whom are deceased, except Henry. Henry Bru- baker, father of Charles J., was born in Hali- fax township. He has been engaged in farming and in boating on the Wi- conisco canal. He and his six brothers owned and conducted boats on that canal for many years. IIe has served two terms as supervisor of Halifax township, and is now serving his third term in that office, in the borough. Ile belongs to Charity Lodge, I. O. O. F., and to Camp No. 576, Patriotic Sons of America. He is one of the original stockholders in the Halifax Shoe Company. His wife is a member of the M. E. church. They had five children : Samuel L., travel- ing for the Pennsylvania Steel Works; Amaza S., Ella F., Annie L. and Charles J.
Charles J. Brubaker is the eldest of his father's children. He was educated in the public schools. He read medicine with Dr. H. R. Casslon, of Halifax, and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., in 1882, but never practiced medicine. He became paymaster and time- keeper for the Phoenix Bridge Company, Phoenixville, Pa., and remained with that company four years. January 1, 1891, he became assistant clerk to the county com- missioners, and in 1892 was appointed chief clerk to that body, which position he has since filled with credit. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M., the Harrisburg Consistory, and the Rajah Temple of Reading, Pa. ; City Lodge, No. 301, I. O. O. F .; A. O. U. W., and Camp No. 576, P. O. S. A., of Halifax. He is an active Republican. Inearly life he served as page in the United States House of Representatives.
MELICK, JOHN P., prothonotary, was born in Petersburg, Huntingdon county, August 18, 1858. He is a son of Rev. J. A. and Emeline (Patchin) Melick, the former born in Light Street, Columbia county, Pa., the latter in New York State. Rev. Melick had three children by his first wife: Mary M., wife of G. Benson Dunmirc, of Philadelphia; John B., and Miss Emma, residing in Har- risburg. He married, secondly, Miss Emily Dunmire, who survives, and resides in Har- risburg. Rev. Melick, who was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, died March 22, 1886. A sketch of him appears elsewhere in this volume.
John P. received his primary education in public and private schools, and from 1871
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to 1874 attended Dickinson Seminary, of Newville, Pa. His children are: William Williamsport, Pa., and during 1875 and part of 1876 he was a student at Dickinson Col- lege, Carlisle, Pa. In 1881 he entered the office of the prothonotary at Harrisburg, under Ehrman B. Mitchell, and remained in the office also during the term of office of William H. Ulrich, who succeeded Mr. Mit- chell. In November, 1891, he was nominated and elected prothonotary on the Republican ticket by a majority of 4,483, and in 1893 was re-elected by a majority of 6,067. 43
He was married in Harrisburg, October 20, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth K. Black, daugh- ter of Joseph M. and Charlotte Black, of Harrisburg, and to their union has been born one child, Joseph B., who was born December 15, 1SSS. Mr. Melick is a director of the Harrisburg Preserving Company, and he and Mrs. Melick are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
HOLLER, HENRY F., deputy prothonotary of Dauphin county, was born at New Mar- ket, York county, Pa., September 10, 1S60, son of Charles and Rebecca (Mathias) Holler. His parents settled in Hummelstown in 1876, and the father engaged in the coal, wood and feed business, which he is still conducting. Their children are : Sarah, Henry F., Charles J., William H., and LeRoy O. The father is a Republican in politics and has been a school director for three terms. The family attend the U. B. church. Henry F. removed with his parents, when he was ten years old, to Dauphin county, and was educated in the public schools of Hummelstown. He was engaged with his father in business until the spring of 188S, at which time he was ap- pointed deputy prothonotary of Dauphin county, and took up his duties at Harrisburg. Mr. Holler is a member of Hummelstown Lodge, No. 40, United American Mechanics. He is a Republican in politics, and attends the U. B. Church.
- MIDDLETON, WILLIAM H., city solicitor of Harrisburg, was born in Newville, Cumber- land county, Pa., January 25, 1861, son of William and Mary E. Middleton, the former a native of Cumberland county, Pa., the lat- ter of Hagerstown, Md. The father was born near Newville, in 1830, and removed to Harrisburg, where he has since been en- gaged in the manufacture of writing fluids. For the past five years he has also conducted the mineral springs and summer hotel at
HI .; Margaret, wife of Charles P. Lusk, coal, wood and ice dealer, of Harrisburg; Mollie, died in 1881, after reaching maturity, and two children who died in infancy. The The family attends the Lutheran church. William H. when two years old removed with his parents to Harrisburg, where he has since been a continuous resident. He was educated in the city schools, read law with Ex-Judge Thomas S. Hargest, was ad- mitted to the Dauphin county bar, and was later admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court, United States Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court, and since his admission has been engaged in a general practice at Harrisburg. In 1SS9 Mr. Middleton was elected a member of the school board, in which he served as chairman of the finance committee, and was re-elected to the board in 1892 and resigned. In 1892 he was elected to the office of city solicitor and was re-elected in 1894. Hc also was a notary public from 1886 to 1894. Mr. Middleton was married, November 22, 18SS, to Laura L. Sherk, a native of Dau- phin county, by whom he has one son, Will- iam S., born February 4, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton attend the Presbyterian church.
WALTER, CHARLES P., alderman Eighth ward, Harrisburg, was born near Milltown, York county, Pa., May 8, 1863. Ho is a son of Henry and Angeline (Mosher) Walter. His mother died in 1872; his father still lives, and resides in Harrisburg. Their family consists of five children, namely : Henry G., Charles P., Jacob, Edgar, and Elmer.
Charles P. came to Harrisburg with his parents when he was three years of age, and received his education in the public schools of Harrisburg. After leaving school he en- gaged in the butchering business and live stock dealing. He is still conducting the most extensive business of this kind in Central Pennsylvania, under the firm name of Walter Bros. In 1SS9 Mr. Walter was elected alderman by a majority of one hundred and five votes, and was the first alderman ever elected from the Eighth ward on the Demo- cratic ticket. In 1894 he was re-elected by a majority of four hundred and eighty-six votes. In 1893 he was a candidate for nomination for mayor of Harrisburg, but was defeated by M. C. Eby by one hundred
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and seventy-eight votes. Ile is a careful and faithful officer, and has all the qualifica- tions for a skillful and successful politician. He owes much of his popularity to his genial manners. He was married at Ifarrisburg, Oc- tober 7, 1891, to Elizabeth Foley, the danghter of Edmund and Ellen Foley. To them have been born three children : Victor Ignatius, Charles Patrichia, Jr., and Elenora Esther. Mr. Walter is a member of Bayard Lodge, No. 150, K. of P .; Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F .; St. John's Castle, No., 25, K. M. C .; Camp No. 25, P. O .. S. A .; Fulton Council, O. U. A. M. He is an active mem- ber of the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Depart- ment, and for ten years a member of the State Firemen's Association and Firemen's Union of Harrisburg. He is a member of the Board of Trade. He is also one of the uni- formed rank, Knights of Pythias. He is an active and zealous worker in the Demo- cratic party, and was nominated for the office of mayor by his party in 1896, after one of the hardest political battles ever waged in the city. He was defeated for election, being betrayed by those who owe their political existence to his efforts.
KENNEDY, GEORGE G., secretary of the board of water commissioners, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., November 12, 1864. He is a son of James L. and Martha (Barnard) Kennedy. The ancestors were natives of Juniata county, where the parents of George G. were born, and resided in Mifflintown until 1859, at which date they removed to Harrisburg. James L. was educated in the public schools of Juniata county and learned the trade of a tailor in Mifflintown. When about twenty-one years of age he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with which he has since been continuously connected, being at present a passenger engineer. He is a member of the select council from the Sixth ward. He mar- ried Miss Martha Barnard, of Juniata county, Pa., by whom he had three children.
George G. Kennedy, the eldest son of James L., was born in Harrisburg, November 12, 1864. After completing his education, which he acquired in the public schools, he became an apprentice to the jewelry business with George A. Hutman, and continued in this business until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he engaged in business several years for himself in this city.
On May 2, 1892, he was appointed secre-
tary of the board of commissioners, water and light department, which position he still efficiently and faithfully fills. He is a member of the B. P. O. E., the I. O. R. M., and the Knights of Malta.
He was married in Harrisburg, June 6, 1894, to Miss Flora, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Van Ormer, natives of Juniata county, but at present honored residents of Harrisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy attend Messiah Lutheran church.
Mr. Kennedy is possessed of sound judg- ment and unimpeachable integrity, has a clear record and has given the taxpayers conscientious service. Though the rapid increase of the population of the city has imposed additional labor upon him he never complains. Since he was old enough to know the difference between the various political parties Mr. Kennedy has always been with the Republicans. Long before he was of age he was a worker for the older members of the ward and precinct commit- tees, and so valuable were his services that he has been connected with the precinct committee since he cast his first vote. He has also served faithfully as secretary of the city committee, and never held an office in the gift of the people until elected to his present position. Mr. Kennedy is com- manding in appearance, popular in every walk of life and he has a prosperous future before him.
- PAINTER, EBENEZER GREENOUGHI, was born in Sunbury, Pa., September 26, 1826. He is a son of Thomas and Susan (Israel) Painter, and grandson of John Painter, pioneer of Northumberland county. His great-grand- father, with two brothers, immigrated to America from Germany before the Revolu- tion, and the grandfather, John Painter, served as a eaptain in that struggle for inde- pendence. The grandfather, John Painter, married Catherine Taggart, daughter of David Taggart, of Northumberland, Pa., and after living sometime in Philadelphia settled in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county. Their children were: Thomas, Mary, John, Elizabeth, William, Catherine, Jacob, and Rebceca, all deecased. Thomas was born in 1785 and after reaching his ma- jority was for several years clerk in a store in the town of Northumberland. In 1812- 15 he was sheriff of the county, and served in the Legislature in 1822-23. In 1827, remov- ing to Bloomsburg, he purchased the Colum-
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