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 77
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Dauphin County Historical Society and has taken much interest in historic research. IIe has prepared and published a genealogy of the Parthemore family (1885), the Bretz family (1890), the records of the Rev. Mr. Illing (1891)," Records of Bindnagle Church" and "Hill Church in Derry Township," be- sides various valuable contributions to the history, biography and genealogy of Dauphin county. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania-German Society and is on the board of management of that organization. Through his great-grandparents he is a member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution. Mr. Parthemore was married June 20, 1878, by Bishop J. J. Gloss- brenner to Clara Sarah Early, daughter of Daniel Seth Early and his wife Amanda A. Mark. They have seven children living.
KOHLER, WILLIAM H., real estate and in- surance agent, was born at Harrisburg, April 20, 1856. He is a son of Stephen S. and Mary E. Kohler, both natives of Con - solodome, Switzerland. They came to Amer- ica in 1833 and located in Harrisburg, where they spent the rest of their lives. Thefather dicd January 30, 1891; the mother March 10, 1886. The father was a wheelwright, and followed that business for some years after his settlement in this city, but during the greater part of his residence here he was a contractor and builder. He served in the United States army during the late rebellion for one year as private in company C, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania volun- teers. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ste- phen S. Kohler are: Jacob C., ex-chief of Harrisburg fire department, Annie, wife of Jolin W. Smith, a passenger engineer of the Middle division, Pennsylvania railroad, William II., Charles A., a track foreman of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Ed- ward S., Laura A., wife of Edward J. O'Leary, Emma, wife of John G. Marks, and Rosa, wife of Frank S. Nutt.
William H. Kohler was educated in the public schools of Harrisburg, and after leav- ing school learned the trade of house car- penter, and followed this occupation until 1887. From 1887 until 1891 he was con- nected with the Harrisburg postoffice as letter carrier. In 1891 he engaged in the planing mill business in connection with Henry Geizell, under the firm name of Gei- zell & Kohler. This partnership continued until December, 1894, at which date Mr.
Kohler retired from the firm and embarked! in his present business. He is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, Olive En- campment, No. 56, Susquehanna Lodge, No. 69, Daughters of Rebecca, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat. He attends the German Reformed church.
HAMMOND, WILLIAM B., was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., November 25, 1857. He is a son of Charles E., paymaster of the United States navy, and Elizabeth F. (Buehler) Hammond, of Philadelphia. He was reared in Bethlehem and Harrisburg, and received his education at St. Paul's School at Concord. N. H., and Lehigh University, class of 1879. After leaving college he engaged with the general car record department of the Lehigh Valley railroad, and afterwards with the firm of Albert, Lewis & Co., near White Haven, Pa., in the lumber business. He was a clerk for William Buchler & Sen in the insurance business. In September, 1884, he became partner with Dr. HI. B. Buchler, under the firm name of Buchler & Hammond, and con- tinued until February 1, 1886, when he withdrew from the firm and formed a part- nership with Edward Bailey, under the firm name of Hammond & Bailey. This firm has been successful, and now has the best class of business in the city. They represent the Pennsylvania Fire, Reliance, Delaware and Spring Garden of Philadelphia, Connecti- cut of Hartford, Merchants' of Newark, American Central of St. Louis, British America and Western of Toronto, Imperial, Norwich, Union, Northern, Royal, Manches- ter and Phoenix of England, Queen and Pacific of New York, Mutual Benefit Life of Newark, Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance of Hartford, Conn., Employers' Liability of England, Lloyd's Plate Glass Insurance Company of New York.
Mr. Hammond is a stockholder in the Foundry and Machine Works and the Ilar- risburg Bridge Company. He is a member of the Harrisburg Club and a member and one of the incorporators of the Inglenook Club.
He is a member of Perseverance Lodge. No. 21, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Art Club of Philadelphia. In politics he is a Republican. He is a subscriber to the Young Men's Christian Association.
Ile was married, June 7, 1883, to Miss Jo- sephine Porter, daughter of Dr. George W. Porter, of Harrisburg, and granddaughter of
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Gov. David R. Porter. They have three ehil- dren : George Porter, Emily Elizabeth and ITelen Goodwin. He attends St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal church and is a men- ber of the vestry of the church.
PETERS, THOMAS SAWYER, real estate and insurance agent, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Harrisburg, November 26, 1857. He is a son of Benjamin George and Ann Berst Peters. Benjamin G. Peters was born in Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., in December, 1819. He was for thirty years in
the hotel business in Harrisburg, and was also proprietor of the Highspire distillery. He served the city as a member of couneil, and the county as its treasurer. His wife, a daughter of John and Barbara Hoerner Berst, was born October 6, 1819. Their children are: William Henry, Benjamin Franklin, Anna Mary, widow of John W. Young, Esq., of the Dauphin county bar, and for twenty years member and secretary of the Harrisburg School Board ; Thomas Sawyer, Charles Hay, and John David, who died in his infancy. Mr. Peters' death, which occurred November 10, 1876, was caused by an accident at the Pennsylvania railroad crossing, at Highspire, Pa. Mrs. Peters is still living.
Thomas Sawyer Peters received his eduea- tion in the public schools of Harrisburg, and then engaged on his own account in the real estate and insurance business. He is connected with the following societies: Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M .; State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F .; Cin- cinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M .; the Royal Arcanum, and B. P. O. Elks. He is one of the organizers of the Harrisburg lodges of Elks and Ancient Order United Workmen. He is a Republican, and has served as connty assessor and in the ;eom- mon council of Harrisburg. On November 23, 1893, in Zion Lutheran church, Harris- burg, Pa., Thomas Sawyer Peters was mar- ried to Mary Agnes, daughter of George and Katherine (Koenig) Doehne, born May 28, 1870. Mr. Doehne was born in Germany in 1830, and has been in the brewing bnsi- ness in Harrisburg for forty years. Mrs. Doeline was born in Harrisburg in 1848. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peters are: George Dochne, born September 12, 1894, and Anna. Katherine, born May 3, 1896. Mr. Peters and wife are members of the Lu- theran church.
SHEAFER, WOOD K., fire insurance agent, was born in Mendota, Minn., November 7, 1858. He is a son of Maj. HI. J. and America (Wood) Sheafer, natives of Dauphin county, Pa. He removed with his parents to Har- risburg when two years of age. He resided in this city and received his education in the publie schools and high school and Seiler's Academy, of Harrisburg.
When fifteen years of age he engaged in the grocery business for one year. After that he was in the State Capital Flouring Mill as bookkeeper. He took up the study of dentistry with Dr. Westbrook, and attended the Pennsylvania Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1879-80. Hle practiced his profession for three years in St. Louis, Mo., successfully; but on account of poor health was obliged to retire from the profes- sion. He returned to Harrisburg in 1883, and engaged in the fire insurance business.
He is a Republican, and active in the work of his party. In April, 1890, he was elected to the select council for a term of four years; was made president in 1892, and has since that time hield the office.
He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, Chapter and Pilgrim Commandery, Harris- burg Consistory, and past master of Blue Lodge. He is unmarried.
HOWARD, JAMES H. W., real estate agent, notary public and secretary of the Inter-State Fair, Harrisburg, Pa., is a native of Hamil- ton, Canada, and was born March 9, 1859. He is a son of Hamilton and Virginia (Mun- roe) Howard, the former a native of Virginia, now residing in Harrisburg, the latter a native of Hamilton, Canada, who died in Buf- falo, N. Y., in 1876.
He received his primary education in the public schools of his native city, and when fourteen years of age he removed to Buffalo. N. Y., and completed his education in the high school. He was employed with Dr. Thomas F. Rochester of that eity for about five years. For the two following years he was engaged in the produce business in Chicago, and in 1878 he removed to Harrisburg. Here he also engaged in the produce business until 1884, when he embarked in the newspaper business as publisher of the State Journal. In 1886 he published a work entitled " Bond and Free," the story being based on an in- cident in his father's life. In 1889 he began the publication of Howard's Negro American Monthly. In 1890 he published a book en-
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titled " Color Struggles." In 1892 he entered the State department as messenger for an unexpired term, and in 1894 engaged in the real estate business. In 1882 he was elceted a member of the Harrisburg city council, representing the Eighth ward, and filled this office for three years. He has been sec- retary of the Inter-State Fair sinee its organ- ization, in 1892.
Mr. Howard was married in Washington, D. C., March 29, 1883, to Ella Dorem, daugh- ter of Philip and Mary Dorem, of Westmin- ster, Md. They have one child, Layton Le- roy, born January 20, 1SSG. In political views Mr. Howard is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Capitol Street Presbyterian church.
Mr. Howard is a publisher of some note. He eontemplates the publication of a history of colored soldiers during the late Rebellion, in the preparation of which he was ably assisted by Gen. Simon Cameron during his life. Mr. IToward is a dircetor of the only colored building and loan association in Harrisburg. He is a member of the Chosen Friends Lodge, No. 43, A. Y. M., and of Susquehanna Lodge, No. 27, G. U. O. O. F., both meeting in Harrisburg.
..- ROCKAFELLAR, THOMAS B., real estate and collection agent, was born at Harrisburg, Pa., October 2, 1862. He is a son of John M. and Sarah (Hoffman) Rockafellar, the former a native of Cumberland county, the latter of Lancaster county, Pa. Thc father settled in Harrisburg about 1860, where he had before resided for a tinie pre- vious to his marriage. Ile had taught school for some time in Hummelstown. After coming to Harrisburg he worked for a few years at his trade of printing, but in his later years he was engaged in the real estate busi- ness. Ilis wife survives him and resides in Harrisburg. They had cleven children, five of whom are living : Edward, residing in Erie, P'a .; Thomas B .; Nellie, wife of John M. Holmes, residing in Philadelphia; Sarah, residing in Philadelphia, and Daisy. The father was a worthy citizen and an active and prominent church member.
Thomas B. was educated in the public sehools of Harrisburg. After leaving school he entered at once upon the real estate busi- ness, and for a period of seventeen years has been continuously occupied in this business. For two years he was connected in business with his father, and for fifteen years has
conducted the business solely in his own in- terest. Ile was married in Harrisburg to Miss Catherine Bowers, daughter of George and Mary Bowers, residents of Harrisburg. No children have been born to them. In political views Mr. Rockafellar is a Republi- can. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
-- TAYLOR, WILLIAM IL., was born in Shrews- bury, York county, Pa., April 25, 1864. He is a son of Henry F. and Annie (Keery) Taylor, natives of York county. His father was for many years in the United States de- tective service. He served as justice of the peace in York county for several terms.
Willian H. Taylor was educated in York eounty. At fourteen years of age he left home and learned the trade of miller, at which he worked four years. He afterwards worked as a moulder in York, Pa., for three years. He then opened a bakery in York, and for three years did an extensive busi- ness. In 1889 he came to Harrisburg, and engaged in the insurance business. In 1894 he became one of the organizers of the Capi- tal City Flint Company. He was elected the first secretary, treasurer and general manager of the company, and was continued in these offices until November 30, 1895. since which time he has been secretary of the company. He is also district agent for " The Manufacturers' Industrial League," of Carlisle, Pa. Mr. Taylor is a Republican. He is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Laura E., daughter of Henry Slusser. They have two children : Paul S. and Eve Adna.
-BAKER, GEORGE W., real estate and in- surance agent, was born in Washington, D. C., September 22, 1868. He is a son of the Jate Frederick and Sarah E. (Goodman) Baker. Frederick Baker was born in Dan- ville, Pa., in November, 1837. IIe was a carpenter and pursued this calling through- out his life. Sarah Goodman was born in Williamsport, Pa., in 1815. She was mar- ried to Mr. Baker in 1866; they had five children, of whom the only surviving one is George W. The father is deceased and the mother is still living, aged fifty-one; she re- sides in Harrisburg and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. George W. Baker came to Harrisburg when a boy. Hle
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attended the high school for about four years. At twenty years of age he went to Chicago, Ill., and was for three years a stu- dent at the Armour Institute. At the age of twenty-three he went to California and was employed for one year by Mr. J. C. Blout as private messenger. He was next engaged for a year in St. Paul, Minn., in the collecting, real estate and insurance business. He then came to Harrisburg and was for six months traveling salesman for barber's supplies. In 1895 he opened a coal, real estate and insurance office at 1742 North Fourth street. His residence is on Cowden street. He was appointed secretary of the Quay Union Central Club, which office he still holds. Mr. Baker is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Presby- terian church.
-DAVIDSON, JOHN H., real estate and insur- ance agent, Harrisburg, is a native of Dau- phin county, Pa. He was born in the city of Harrisburg July 5, 1870. He is a son of William W. and Susan E. (Zimmerman) Davidson, the former a native of Schuylkill county, the latter of Halifax township, Dau- phin county. His father was a tanner by trade, and during his residence in Schuyl- kill county followed this occupation, together with farming. The parents removed to Harrisburg about 1860. The father was en- gaged in various occupations for a few years. For the past thirty years he has been in the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The parents had born to them three children, all of whom are living, namely : Frank E., residing at White Bear Lake, Minn., Clara May, wife of Charles E. Shaffer, residing one mile north- east of Dauphin, Dauphin county, along Stony creek, and John H.
.
John HI. Davidson was educated in the publie schools of his native city. For a period of about seven years after leaving school he was employed by the Pennsylva- nia Railroad Company as messenger and clerk. On April 1, 1895, he engaged in his present business, and has met with an cn- couraging degree of success. He is a mem- ber of Cincinnatus Commandery, No. 96, K. of M .; Paxtang Conclave, No. 131, I. O. of HI. In political views he is a Republican. He is a consistent member of Augsburg Lu- theran church.
- FOOSE, LEMUEL OLIVER, superintendent of city schools, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Juniata county, Pa., January 16, 1838. He is a son of James and Catherine (Boyer) Foosc. His primary education was re- ceived in the Markleville Academy, Perry county, Pa. He also took the greater part of the course at the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa. He left college at the close of the junior year. He was subsequently honored by this institution with the degrec of M. A. While obtaining his education he was more or less engaged in teaching school.
He had charge of the academy at Aarons- burg, Centre county, Pa., from 1864 to 1866. and in 1866-67 he was superintendent of schools at Lima, Ohio; in 1868-69, superin- tendent of schools at Miamisburg, Ohio, and from 1869 to 1879, principal of the boys' high school, Harrisburg, Pa. In 1879 he was elected superintendent of the schools of the city of Harrisburg. In this position his services have accomplished much for the improvement of the schools. The course of study has been extended and reconstructed, with closely graded scholarships for admis- sion to successive grades ; changes have been made in the method of promotion, so that classes complete the year's work carlier than before, and new classes take up their work at the time of year when there is less dispo- sition to drop out. A change has been effected by which pupils are promoted with- out examination when their work is satis- factory to the teachers. Competitive cxani- inations are now held for the appointment of teachers. As applicants come to take the examination, the one highest in grade is appointed to the first vacancy, and the next vacancy is filled by the next highest in grade. This does away with favoritism or influence on the part of the school board iu appointing teachers. As a result of Professor Foose's able administration the standard of scholarship and discipline has been raised, and the general scope and mission of the schools so extended and enlarged that they hold a high grade among the schools of the Statc.
Professor Foose was one of the founders of the public library, and has since been seere- tary and trustee of the samc. Ile has been at the head of the University Extension work since its inception. He is chairman of the city Bible Society, and is closely identi- fied with the Dauphin County Sunday-
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School Association, being its president and secretary. He is a member of the Messiah Lutheran church. He has been one of the official board and the superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty years.
Lemuel O. Foose was married, in 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Eleanor Kulm, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Eleanor M. Kuhn. Their children are: Albert Elliott, Charles James, the architect of the public library building, of Harrisburg, Ella Irene, Frank Charles and Jessie Florence.
GARNER, JOHN E., principal of the Ilarris- burg Business College, was born in Carroll county, Md., May 28, 1846. He is a son of Abraham and Mary A. (Appler) Garner. His father was a prosperous farmer, and died in his native State, August 2, 1879. His mother is still living and resides in Mary- land. Their family consists of three children, namely: Elias Oliver, Rebecca C., wife of Samuel Galt, who resides in Carroll county, Md., and John E. John E. was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving his primary education in the public schools. Until the fall of 1868 he was engaged in teaching school and working on the farm. In the fall of 1868 he entered the Normal School of Millersville, Pa. Here lic spent five years and was graduated in 1873. He then again engaged in teaching school in Lancaster county, Pa., for about three years, attending college also during the summer for the purpose of perfecting himself in the higher branches of education. In 1876 he removed to Harrisburg and was engaged in the city schools for cight years. In 1885 he opened tlic Business College, now so well known to the people of this and adjoining counties. ITe was married in Harrisburg, July 5, 1881, to Ettie S. White, daughter of Rudolph and Elizabeth A. White. To them have been born three children, namely : John E., born October 28, 1886 ; Elizabetli May, born March 24, 1890; and Gilbert D., born June 17, 1893. Mr. Garner is an active member of the Order of American Mechanics. In political views he is a Republican, and he attends the Church of God. Mrs. Garner is a member of Pine Street Presbyterian church. Mr. Garner has acquired distinction in his profession. His college enjoys a large and growing popularity, and has sent many bright and promising young men to recruit the ranks of business men. The institution was organized in 1873, by Prof. John N.
Currey, as a night school and in 1880 day sessions were added. In 1885 Prof. Garner, then one of the popular teachers of the school, assumed entire control. He reorgan- ized and systematized the course of instruc- tion. This same is eminently practical and is under the direct personal charge of the principal, who is assisted by a large corps of able instruetors. The course embraces prac- tical arithmetic, bookkeeping, grammar, spelling, commercial correspondence, rapid calculations, shorthand, typewriting, com- mercial law and business ethics. To all per- sons who have been denied a thorough course of common school education, and to those who are deficient in any particular branch, a greatopportunity is here afforded. Special de- partments are open to young men and ladies who wish to better fit themselves for a thor- ough course of collegiate or commercial studies. The college is handsomely ap- pointed and is centrally located at No. 330 Market street.
- HAMMELBAUGH, D. DANIEL, secretary of the Harrisburg School District, was born at Harrisburg October 18, 1861. He is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Stahler) Hammel- baugh, and has been a continuous resident of this city since his birth. His father is a native of Maryland, and settled in Harris- burg about 1844 and since that time has been a resident of the city. He is seventy- two years of age and is highly esteemed. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is a native of Marysville, Pa. She died when D. Daniel was in infancy. Both she and her husband are of German ances- try. They had six children, five of whom are living: Elizabeth, widow of the late William Miller; Julia, wife of George E. Arnold ; Margaret, wife of John W. White; Josephine, wife of William B. Grissinger, and D. Daniel. By a second union Philip had a family of five children, four of whom are living and are as follows: George B., Mary F., wife of James H. Collins, Cath- erine G. and Charles F. All members of both families reside in Harrisburg.
D. Daniel received his education in the public and high schools of this city, having been graduated from the high school in 18S2. For a short time he was assistant ticket agent in the office of the Northern Central railroad. In September, 1883, he engaged as messenger to the Board of Edu- cation, and in June, 1895, after the death of
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the late John W. Young, was appointed to the office he now so acceptably fills. He is a member of Council No. 3, Order United American Mechanics, and of Gen. John F. Hartranft Camp, No. 15, Sons of Veterans. In political views he is liberal. He attends the Westminster Presbyterian church. He is widely known and highly esteemed.
SHUMBERGER, J. C .- A community gains character and distinction from the leaders in various branches of business who make it the seat of their labors. Every original and successful business venture is an advertise- ment and an additional attraction to the place. Certainly to Mr. Shumberger must be accorded the praise of success in the founding and conduct of his School of Com- merce.
Mr. Shumberger was born in Good Hope, Cumberland county, Pa. His father, Simon Shumberger, was a native of the same county, and was a prominent man there. He was a contractor and builder, and also conducted an undertaking establishment. He served for nine months during the late Rebellion in company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He resided in Cumberland county until 1890, when he came to Harrisburg. Since that time he has been engaged in contract- ing. He married Sarah Eckert, and they have two children : M. Ella, wife of Jacob Souder, residing in Harrisburg, and J. C. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Shumberger are worthy people, modest and unassuming, and quietly taking part in all movements promising social good. Mr. Shumberger is one of the incorporators of the Messiah Rescue and Be- nevolent Home of Harrisburg, which was chartered April 15, 1896.
J. C. Shumberger received his primary education in the public schools of his native county and of Harrisburg. This course was supplemented by subsequent attendance at the Keystone Business College of Harrisburg and the head school of Aeme Phonography at Washington, D. C.
In the organization of the Lebanon Busi- ness College in 1890 Mr. Shumberger dis- played marked ability. When the failure of others had left the ground cumbered with difficulties he achieved success, placed the institution on a good foundation and started it upon a career of prosperity. He after- wards disposed of the Lebanon Business College to a company composed of the prin-
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