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 89
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" COWDEN, FREDERICK II., proprietor of the Ilarrisburg stoneware pottery, was born at Linglestown, Dauphin county, Pa., Novem- ber 23, 1843. Mr. Cowden belongs to an old and honored family, and is the fifth
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generation in his line of descent in this county. The original aneestor of the family in America is Matthew Cowden, who came from the north of Ireland, and settled in Chester county, Pa., about 1730, and moved to Dauphin (then Lancaster) county in 1746, where he resided until his death. His son was Col. James Cowden, who commanded a company in the Revolutionary army. After the close of the Revolutionary war, he lived in Lower Paxton township, and ,was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1810. Matthew B. Cowden, son of Col. James Cowden, above mentioned, and grandfather of Frederick H., was a prominent farmer in Lower Paxton township, and at one time served as associate judge of the county. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Lower Paxton township in 1862. John W. Cowden, father of Frederick H., followed farming in his early life, and qualified himself for the busi- ness of surveying. In 1857 he became a resident of Harrisburg, and shortly after- wards was appointed assistant city engineer. In connection with Hother Hage and Alex- ander Hamilton, he laid out the city of Harrisburg. About 1859 he was appointed city surveyor, and honorably filled the office until his death, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cowden had nine children, of whom seven are living: Margaret, wife of Samuel Hamilton, of Beaver, Pa .; Frederick HI .; Sarah, wife of Homer H. Cummings, of Harrisburg; Elizabeth B., wife of M. R. Beck, of Beverly, N. J .; Matthew B., city engineer ; Ellen J., wife of Stephen Hubertis, of Harrisburg; and Josephine W. His wife, Mary E. (Hatton) Cowden, died in May, 1872.
When Frederick H. Cowden was two years old, his parents removed to a farm about three miles from Linglestown, where he received his primary education. At thirteen years of age. he removed with his parents to Harrisburg, and completed his education in the city schools. He learned the pottery trade, and with the exception of one year spent in the army during the late war, he has been continuously engaged in this business for thirty-four years. In 1867 he became partner in this business with his father and Isaac J. Wilcox. Since 1SS1 he has conducted the business solely in his own interest. He has made the Harrisburg pot- tery a successful manufacturing establish-
ment and Harrisburg stoneware justly cele- brated throughout Central Pennsylvania.
Mr. Cowden was married at Chanceford, York county, Pa., Dec. 1, 1869, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Samuel N. and Sarah J. Reed, of Chanceford. They have four children, John W., Florence, Mabel Barnett and Frederick H., all residing in Harrisburg. Mr. Cowden represented the Fourth ward one term as school director. In 1864 he enlisted in company C, Two Hun- dred and First Pennsylvania volunteers. and served one year, being honorably dis- charged at the close of the war. He is a member of Post 58, G. A. R. Ile and his family attend the Pine Street Presbyterian church.
-WILSON, WILLIAM G., proprietor of the Harrisburg Cornice Works and of Maple Grove IFotel, was born in Coatesville, Chester county, Pa., January 17, 1847. He is a son of William and Sophia (Stackhouse) Wilson, both natives of Chester county. He was educated in the public schools of Coatesville. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania volunteers, and was assigned to company A. He served in this regiment one year during the late Rc- bellion. After he was discharged he re- turned to Coatesville, and finished his edu- cation in the academy of that place. He learned telegraphy and was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in various positions and offices until 1890. IIe came to Harrisburg in 1865. After Jeaving the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1890, he went to South Jersey and became superintendent of the Philadel- phia and Sea Shore railroad for a short time. He then returned to Harrisburg for one year. In 1892 he went to Shenandoah, Va .. where he was chief clerk of the Shenandoah division, Norfolk and Western railroad. At the close of the year, he resigned and went to New Jersey, and was superintendent of South Jersey railroad from 1893 till May. 1894, when he resigned and returned to llar- risburg and engaged in his present occupa- tion.
He was married in Harrisburg, October 14, 1875, to La Rue V. Grove, daughter of Michael M. and Charlotte S. Grove. Three children have been born to them : Nellie La Rue, died at the age of fourteen months. Alvah B., and William Grove. Mr. Wilson
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was elected treasurer of the Pennsylvania Midland railroad in 1894. He was the Re- publican candidate for mayor of Harrisburg in 1890, against Dr. John A. Fritchey, but was defeated. He is a member of the Hepta- sophs and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. In politics he is a Republican. The family attend the Zion Lutheran church.
-PUGH, A. JUDSON, senior member of the firm of A. J. Pugh & Son (The Dauphin Roofing Company), was born in Radnor township, Delaware county, Pa., February 27, 1847; son of the late William and Mary (Pugh) Pugh. The Pugh family on both sides were among the early settlers of Dela- ware county, their ancestors having been born there as far baek as the fourth genera- tion preceding the present. The parents were residents of Radnor township, and the father conducted a merchant tailoring busi- ness there. They had nine children, five of whom are living: Joanna H., widow of late J. Hibbert Hall, of Plymouth, Montgomery county ; John, Nelson, Roland, Jr., and A. Judson. A. J. spent his early life in Radnor and received his education in the public schools of that township. In 1876 he re- moved to Harrisburg and for fifteen years was in the service of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, during ten years of which time he was engineer on a freight train. In 1881 he became bookkeeper for the Paxton Flouring Mill Company, which position he held for ten years, after which, from 1891 to 1894 he was in the employment of the Mer- chants' National Bank, and in November of the last named year embarked in his present business. Mr. Pugh was married in Phila- delphia, April 10, 1873, to Eloise G. Denney, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Denney, of Chester county, both deceased. To this mar- riage have been born four children : M. Elva, William E., Salinda and J. Darling- ton. In his politics Mr. Pugh is a Republi- can. He and his family attend the Baptist churel.
-BRINTON, HARRY A., general manager of the Universal Baking Powder Company, was born in Dauphin county, about six miles from Harrisburg, April 13, 1847, son of Caleb and Sarah (Alleman) Brinton, the former a native of Chester, the latter of Dau- phin county. The father came to Dauphin county about 1835, and was for ten years engaged in the manufacture of coffee mills,
ladles, door locks, and jack serews in West Hanover township, after which he was a farmer in Susquehanna township cight years, and then removed to Swatara town- ship and farmed eight years more. From there he went to Cumberland county, where he lived eleven years, and in 1866 came to Harrisburg and resided here seven years. He next moved to New Cumberland, where he remained four years, and then returned to Harrisburg, where he has lived retired from active business for the past twenty-five years, and at the age of eighty-six years is still in the enjoyment of good health. Ilis wife died in 1860. Their children are: Mar- tin, farmer in Cumberland county ; John, of Susquehanna township; Lydia E., wife of Peter Hershey, Harrisburg; George, of Har- risburg; Caleb, residing in Idaho; Harry A .; Susan, wife of J. D. Sprout, died in Jan- uary, 1885; Elizabeth, wife T. W. Jones, of Cornell, Ill., died October 26, 1895; and David, died in infaney.
Harry A. was about seven years old when he with his parents located between Fair- view and Bridgeport, where he received his education in the public schools. He was engaged in farming for twelve years, and subsequently became an engineer and worked for ten years at this occupation in Harrisburg, after which he was for fifteen years engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in August, 1894, became a stockholder and was elected the general manager of the Universal Baking Powder Company. Mr. Brinton was married in Harrisburg in 1871 to Mary J. Shaeffer, daughter of John and Mary Shaef- fer, natives of Lancaster county, to whom have been born ten children, of whom five died in infancy, and the survivors are: John C., Mary P., George W., Charles L., and Helen J. Mr. Brinton is a member of Dau- phin Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F., and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In his politi- cal views he is a Republican. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
BACON, DANIEL, was one of the most widely known manufacturers and one of the most popular men in Central Pennsylvania. He was born June 20, 1847, and died sud- denly of heart failure April 22, 1893. He removed from. Scranton to Harrisburg in 1869, and shortly afterwards engaged in the manufacture and sale of candy near the site of his present factory. His business pros- pered from the start, and needed enlarged
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facilities, which he provided from time to time. For the past fifteen years he had oc- cupied the factory and store where his career terminated, which is one of the best equipped and arranged plants of its kind in this part of the State. The marked business traits of Mr. Bacon were his enterprise and ingenuity in forming his plans and his energy and courage in carrying them out. When confronted with disaster and threat- ened with defeat, as he was at three separate times when burned out, he lost no time in useless regrets, but at onee employed the occasion to alter and always enlarge bis plans, and at onee addressed himself with redoubled energy and industry to their exe- ention. Mr. Bacon was generous and whole- souled on the social side of his nature, and his cheerful and mirthful disposition spread sunshine all around him. One of his very marked characteristics was his liking for the commercial travelers, which amounted to a ruling sentiment and almost a passion. It was said he never let one leave his place of business without giving him an order and making him feel that he was with a friend, and all were made wel- come as honored guests at his hospitable home. Mr. Bacon sustained membership in the Harrisburg Board of Trade; Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F .; East Harrisburg Conclave, No. 150, I. O. H., and the National Confectioners' Association. Mr. Bacon was married to Annie Clark, a native of Seran- ton, by whom he had one son, Arthur D. This son received all the advantages of edu- cation afforded by the city sehools, and sub- sequently pursued a classical course of study at Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, P.a., upon the completion of which he entered his father's store. He had just reached his ma- jority when the untimely and sudden death of his father occurred, and he was put in charge of the large business built up by the ability and sueeess of his honored parent. His mother preferred that he should assume the management and become responsible for the continuance of the business, feeling well assured that her worthy son had inherited the business talents and sterling character of her lamented husband. In this hope she has not been disappointed. His successful management of the business of D. Bacon & Co., wholesale dealers and manufacturers of confectioneries, is marked, and he is justly regarded as oneof the most enterprising and progressive business men of the city. Mr.
Bacon was married in Harrisburg January 2, 1894, to Miss Barbara. Baldwin, of this eity. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M .; Pilgrim Com- mandery, No. 11; Perseverance Chapter. No. 21, R. A. M .; Rajah Temple ; Mystic Shrine, of Reading, and Scottish Rite Mason, thirty-second degree.
.- YOUNG, JOHN G., general manager of the Harrisburg Branch of the Deering Har- vester Company, of Chicago, was born in Evansville, Ind., December 4, 1847. He is a son of Richard and Susan (Hill) Young, His father is a native of Philadelphia and his mother was born near Owensborough. Ky. They removed to Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a prominent business man of Cynthiana. Posey county, Ind., for many years, where he first engaged in the retail boot and shoe busi- ness and later in the retail hardware and grocery business. He died in 1893 and his wife died when John G. was but an infant. Of a family of six children born to them John G. is the only survivor. When but a child he removed with his parents to Cynthi- ana, Ind., where he spent his boyhood days, receiving his education in the public and select schools of that town. After complet- ing his education he assumed the duties of deputy treasurer of the county, and when but twenty-one years of age was elected treas- urer of Posey county, which office he filled with acceptance for two years. After retiring from office he engaged in the hardware busi- ness in Mt. Vernon, Ind., in connection with Mr. V. C. Finch, under the firm name of V. C. Fineh & Co., for four years, after which he removed to Cynthiana, Ind., and became a partner in the hardware business of his father, under the firm name of R. Young & Son, in which partnership he continued for two years. He subsequently became ac- countant for H. Brinkman & Sons, of Mi. Vernon, Ind., and was connected with that firm for one year. At the expiration of this time he became connected with the Deering Harvester Company in the capacity of book- keeper in one of their branch warehouses at Indianapolis, Ind., for a period of two years. For the following fifteen months he served this company faithfully as manager of their branch house in Philadelphia. October 6, 1887, he was appointed to the responsible position he now holds, as manager of their business in Harrisburg. He has been a
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faithful employee of the Deering Harvester Company for a period of twelve years. For seven years he has been an honored and re- spected resident of Harrisburg, where his strict integrity and honorable business meth- ods have established him in the confidence of his employers and the esteem of all who meet him in business and social circles. He was married in Mt. Vernon, Ind., May 25, 1873, to Fannie Fuhrer, a daughter of Mau- rice and Angeline (Berne) Fuhrer, the former a native of Berne, Switzerland, the latter of Posey county, Ind. To them have been born four children. Three of these died in in- fancy; their only surviving child is Angelyn Nelson. While filling the office of deputy treasurer he also performed the duties per- taining to the office of county auditor. He is a member in good standing of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 163, F. & A. M., of Mt. Vernon ; Lavalette Commandery, of Evans- ville, Ind., K. T. In political views he is a Democrat. He attends the Presbyterian church.
MOESLEIN, EDWARD, manager of the Cap- ital City Shoe Manufacturing Company, was born in Eckweisbach, Germany, January 24, 1849. He is a son of David and Cecilia (Niebeling) Moeslein, both of Germany. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native land. He received his education in the pub- lic schools, after which he was apprenticed for five years to learn carpentry and build- ing. After his apprenticeship was over he worked at his trade as a journeyman until 1870. Ile was drafted inio the German army, and served his country faithfully for two years in the Franco-Prussian war, dur- which time he, with his regiment, partici- pated in seventeen engagements. He was present at the battle of Sedan, where Louis Napoleon was made a prisoner. After his discharge from the army at the close of the war, he continued to work at his trade in his native land for a year and a half. In 1874 he embarked for America and landed at New York. He came at once to Harrisburg and since June 1, 1874, has been a continuous resident of this city. The first eight years in Harrisburg he spent at his trade, in connce- tion with the building of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church. In 1SS2 he began contracting and building on his own account and continued this business until August, 1895. At this date he engaged in the man- ufacture of children's shoes in connection
with Joseph Youngel. On January 6, 1896, a stock company was formed and Mr. Moes- lein was appointed to his present position as manager.
Edward Mocslein was married in Hannau, Germany, January 21, 1872, to Martina Bittner. They have had five children, three living: William E., Adam, and Charles.
He is a member of Peace and Plenty Lodge, No. 69, I. O. O. F .; Herman Castle, No. 339, K. of G. E .; and K. of M. C., No. 17. He is president of the American and the Union Building and Loan associations, assistant secretary of the Columbia and the Harris- burg Building and Loan associations, direc- tor in the West Harrisburg Building and Loan Association and a member of the Board of Trade. Mr. Moeslcin and his family at- tend St. Lawrence's Roman Catholic church.
-NAGLE, JOHN H., assistant foreman in the Hickok Manufacturing Company, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 11, 1851. He is a son of Emanuel and Sarah (Markley) Nagle. A sketch of his parents and grand- parents appears elsewhere in this volume. He received his education in the public schools of Lancaster county. Before the age of fourteen be had been in various occu- pations. At that time his parents removed from Bainbridge to Collin's Station, Lan- caster county. During the year 1865 he was employed as water boy, carrying water and tools for the "floating gang" on the rail- road. In 1866 his parents removed to Mid- dletown, Pa., where he found, employment on the railroad during the summer months, and attended school in the winter. For two sessions be was in the high school. On April 5, 1869, he began an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist with William O. Hickok, and served three years and one month ; he was then twenty-one years old. From that time until 1875 he worked as a journeyman machinist. In order to be- come more familiar with machinery and more skillful in its use, he spent four years as fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad, Middle division, between Harrisburg and Allentown, Pa. In 1879 he returned to Harrisburg and resumed work at his trade with his former employer, Mr. Hickok. In 1891 he was promoted to assistant foreman of the Hickok Company's shop, the position which he now holds.
In 18SS Mr. Nagle was elected to the com- mon council from the Sixth ward of Harris-
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burg and served one term. He is an active member of the Knights of the Mystic Chain, No. 17; he has gone through all the chairs, and been connected with the order for eigh- teen years. He has also, for about five years, been a member of the Knights of Honor. In political views he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Nagle has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Jennie Feltz. Her father, John Feltz, was born in Dauphin county. When a young man he was a farmer, but later he learned shocmaking at which he worked for many years. For the past four- teen years he has been partially paralyzed and is comparatively helpless. He is at present proprietor of a boarding-house in Harrisburg. He is a. Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church. He was married to Miss. Leah Wagner. They had two daughters: Kate, wife of James Lusk, and Jennie, deceased. Mrs. Nagle belonged to the Lutheran church. She died, May 6, 1892, aged thirty-seven; she left three chil- dren, two of whom are living: Lillie, wife of John H. Forney, and John E. Leah E. died January 19, 1896, aged nineteen years and nine days.
Mr. Nagle's second marriage occurred Oc- tober 18, 1894. He was then united to Mrs. Minnie Rhoads, widow of Levi Meyers, and daughter of George and Sarah (Glosser) Rhoads. They had one son, Chester L. George Rhoads was born in Perry county, Pa. He was employed by the railroad com- pany in various capacities for forty-five years and finally retired on account of fail- ing health. His wife was born in Perry county, Pa., and was a daughter of Conrad and Charlotta Glosser. They had fourteen children, eleven of whom are living: Mary, wife of Jacob Shellenberger; Minnie, wife of John H. Nagle; Emma, wife of John Shellen- hammer; Edward; Frederick; George; Lot- tie, wife of John Thompson; Charles; Ben- nie ; Nelson and Virginia. James was killed on the railroad at the age of twenty- two. Willie and Tillie died in infancy. Mr. Rhoads was a Democrat. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
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The grandparents of the second Mrs. Nagle were both natives of Lancaster county. Her grandfather was employed on the rail- road and was killed in an accident. He had five children, three of whom are living: Cyrus, Joseph and George. The grandfather died in March, 1891.
LANDIS, HENRY B., superintendent of Ilar- risburg Traction Company's supply store. was born at Mexico, Juniata county, l'a .. November 5, 1851. He is the only child o: John and Anna (Baker) Landis. His parent- are both natives of Juniata county, and both are living at Mexico. The father was en. gaged in agricultural pursuits, and for many years was a minister in the United Brethren church, but now lives retired. Henry's boy- hood days were spent in his native town. where he took the usual course of study in the public schools. He studied telegraphy. and followed this occupation for several years. For the three following years he was engaged as brakeman on the Pennsylvania railroad. The following year he was em- ployed by the Prudential Life Insurance Company as bookkeeper in their receiving office at Mexico. In the next year he re- moved to Harrisburg, and has been con- nected with the Citizens' Street Railway Company and Harrisburg Traction Com- pany since its inauguration. He is the oldest employee of the company.
He was married in Mifflin township, Juni- ala county, July 19, 1874, to Miss Minerva P. Smith, daughter of George and Eliza (Miller) Smith. Five children have been born to them, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are: John H., George S., Led- yard A., and Annie.
Mr. Landis is not connected with any societies. He attends the United Brethren church. By the faithful discharge of his duties he has gained the utmost confidence of his employers, and by his honorable and upright life commands the respect and re- gard of his fellow-men.
WEBER, WILLIAM, foreman and manager of the iron and brass foundry of James W. Roberts, was born at Waterloo, Bavaria, Ger- many, April 9, 1853. He is the son of George Adam and Eve (Brickner) Weber. both natives of Bavaria, but residents of Harrisburg for forty years. These parents had six children, four of whom survive: William ; George, residing at Sparrow's Point, Md .; Mary, wife of Augustus Kreid- ler, and Andrew.
William Weber came to Harrisburg with his parents, in 1855, when he was but eighteen months old. He received a partial education in the public schools of this city. In early youth he took up the trade of car- penter, working at it only a short time, as
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he found it not to his taste. He learned the moulders' trade, and has followed it for twenty-five years. Mr. Weber is highly re- garded in business cireles for his enterprise, perseverance and sterling integrity.
He was married, in Harrisburg, March 6, 1SSG, to Mary Wohleben, daughter of Henry and Regina Wohleben, both natives of Ger- many, but residents of Harrisburg. They have two children : William Henry, born April 7, 1889, and Elizabeth, born July 5, 1890. In political views Mr. Weber is a Democrat. -
- SHIELDS, JAMES D., manufacturer and dealer in proprietary medicines, was born in Fayette township, Juniata county, Pa., Sep- tember 21, 1853; son of Charles and Sarah (Myers) Shields, both natives of Juniata county and of Irish ancestry. The father died in 1863, aged sixty-five years. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and resides at MeAllisters- ville. Juniata eonnty. They had eleven children. James D. was reared on the farm in Juniata county and attended the public schools and Port Royal Academy. He began his business life as a salesman and was en- gaged in various occupations in his native county until 1878, when he removed to Harrisburg, where he was for ten years en- gaged in the sale of sewing machines, and in 1889 embarked in his present business. He was married at Lancaster city, September 17, 1884, to Alice E. Lipp, daughter of Henty G. and Margaret Lipp, of Laneaster. They have no children. In his political views, Mr. Shields is a Demoerat.
-- RHOADS, JAMES M., was born at Harris- burg, December 7, 1854. His father, Daniel Rhoads, was a well-known and honored resi- dent of Dauphin county. He held several important civil offices. He was the first high constable of Harrisburg. In later years he was engaged in the lime business in this eity. . His mother was Susan Russell. The surviving children of the family are : John, residing in Philadelphia; Thomas, residing in Harrisburg; Adeline, wife of Samuel Black, residing in Baltimore; Joseph E., Daniel II., James M., and Charles H. James M. received the advantages of a pub- lie school education in Harrisburg, where he has spent his life, with the exception of six years which he spent in Philadelphia. After leaving school he was engaged at the pla-
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