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 91
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Charles A. Spicer, undertaker and furni- ture dealer, was born at Carlisle, Pa., April 6, 1835. Ilis father, Henry Spicer, was a native of Switzerland, who came to this
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country and settled at Carlisle, Pa. He was owner and publisher of the Carlisle Herald up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1835. His wife, Eliza Corman, was a native of Cumberland county and died in 1841. They had two children, of whom Charles A. is the only survivor. He took a partial course in the public schools, and in his fifteenth year was an apprentice to the cabinet-making business. When nineteen
years old he removed to Polo, Ill., where he worked at carpentry. He went to Plymouth, Ill., in 1855, and carried on the furniture business there for two years. He returned to Carlisle, Pa., in 1859, and was engaged in business there until 1861. In June of that year he enlisted in company A, Seventh Pennsylvania reserves, and served till his discharge at Falmouth, Va., in June, 1862, when he returned to Carlisle. In a short time he removed to Harrisburg where he was engaged with the Harrisburg Car Com- pany for four years, and in 1866 established his present business, which he has conducted continuously for thirty years. He was mar- ried at Plymouth, Ill., to Nancy West, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William West, residents of Peru, Ind. Of the ten children born to them, seven survive: J. Henry, superintendent of the Burial Case Company ; Nellie, wife of F. Orth, a prominent grocer of Harrisburg; Charles, shipping clerk, Burial Case Company ; William, a student in Auburn Theological Seminary ; Rudolph, undertaker, at Altoona; Bessie and Anna. Mr. Spicer represented the Third ward in eonncil for one year. He is a member of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., and of State Capital Beneficial Society. In polit- ical views he is a Democrat. The family attend the Market Square Presbyterian church.
The family removed to Harrisburg when J. Henry Spicer was six years old. He re- eeived his education in the public schools of this city and at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. Upon its completion he engaged in the furniture business with his father, until the organization of the Harrisburg Burial Case Company, in 1882. Of this company he was made superintendent, and has proved effi- eient and faithful in performing the duties of his position. Mr. Spieer is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
J. Henry Spicer was married at Harris-
burg, August 31, 1881, to Annie E., dangh- ter of Jacob A. and Christiana (McWilliams) Spofford, who were formerly residents of Harrisburg. They are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spicer have one son, John Spofford. born February 3, 1885. Mr. Spicer is an clder in the Market Square Presbyterian church.
ROYAL, JOHN KELKER, is a native of Har- risburg, and was born September 6, 1858. He is a son of Josiah S. and Rebecca E. (Morgan) Royal. The former was a native of Laneaster, and was connected with the printing and publishing business for many years, and died September, 1885, after an active and well spent life. The latter is a native of Dauphin county, and is still living in this city. John K. was one of seven chi]- dren, two of whom besides himself are still living, namely: Morgan J., residing in Har- risburg, and Mary E., also residing here. Mr. Royal has been a resident of Harrisburg all his life, receiving his edueation in the schools of this city. He learned telegraphy on the Northern Central railroad, and was occupied in this business two years. He was clerk in the Bolton House from 1875 to 1880. He was employed in bookkeeping from 1880 to 1SS2. In the latter year, in connection with J. Henry Spicer, he organized the Har- risburg Burial Case Company, of which he was elected secretary and treasurer, and has faithfully performed the duties of this office since that date. Mr. Royal is also secretary and treasurer of the Harrisburg Furniture Company and the Harrisburg Preserving Company. He was married in Lebanon. April 2, 1891, to E. Elizabeth Miller, daughi- ter of J. Henry Miller, of Lebanon. Thrce children have been born to them: J. Doug- las M., born June 6, 1892; Elizabeth, born November 25, 1893, and R. Ernestine, born July 4, 1895. IIe is a member of Persever- ance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., and is a Demo- crat in politics. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Reformed church. Mr. Roval was elected a member of the city council in 1890 in the strongest Republican ward in the eity, and re-elected successively in 1892. 1894 and 1896. He has been a member of the finance committee since his first election : has also served on the appropriation, high- way and sanitary committees, and was chair- man of the building and city property com- mittee.
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MARSH, FRED. H., general castern agent of the Superior Drill Company of Springfield, Ohio, was born near Binghampton, N. Y., October 3, 1858; son of David and Maria (Brundis) Marsh. He was reared in his native township and received his primary education in the public schools and subse- quently attended the Binghamton high school and Lowell's Commercial College, of Binghamton, N. Y., of both of which insti- tutions he is an honored graduate. After completing his education he was for three years travelling salesman for the firm of' Thomas, Little & Rogers, of Springfield, Ohio, and served in the same capacity for E. W. Ross, of the same place, until 1891, since which date he has represented the Superior Drill Company, of Springfield, Ohio, in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and a portion of West Virginia, with headquarters at Har- risburg. Mr. Marsh was married in Dayton, Ohio, January 12, 1887, to Miss N. G. Hamill, daughter of Capt. Joseph and Leah (Creigh- ton) Hamill, and to them has been born one son, Collin Herman, died June 3, 1890, aged eighteen months. Mr. Marsh is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 52, Shawnee Encanip- ment, No. 20, I. O. O. F., Xema, Ohio, and of Xenia Lodge, No. 1658, Knights of Honor, Xenia, Ohio. In politics Mr. Marsh is a Republican. He and his wife attend the Pine Street Presbyterian church in this city and are both members of the denomination.
-ROBERTS, JAMES W., iron and brass founder, Harrisburg, was born in Harrisburg, De- cember 3, 1858. Ile is a son of Alexander and the late Charlotte (Geiger) Roberts, who are referred to on another page of this vol- ume. He received his primary education in the public schools of his native city, took a regular course at Lafayette College, Easton, l'a., and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1882. After completing his collegiate course he studied civil engineer- ing. For two and a half years he was in the service of the Pennsylvania Canal Company and subsequently was assistant engineer for about three years. He was also assistant chief clerk in the railway mail service for three years. He was connected with the iron and brass foundry for one year. In January, 1895, lie became sole proprietor of his pres- ent business. Mr. Roberts is a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his political views he is a Democrat. Ile is unmarried.
EBERLE, WILLIAM F., general foreman of the Harrisburg car shops, Pennsylvania railroad, was born at Altoona, Blair county, Pa., June S, 1859. He is a son of Alexander and Mary (Kilpatrick) Eberle. He received a common school education in his native city, and was indentured as an apprentice to learn car building, in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Al- toona, August 1, 1876. He was the only person indentured as an apprentice during the Centennial year. He served four years at his apprenticeship, and afterwards re- mained in the service of the company, work- ing in the cabinet department of the car shops until September 21, 1887, when he was appointed assistant foreman of the passenger car erecting shops. On February 1, 1891, he was appointed assistant general foreman of the Wall shops, on the Pittsburgh divi- sion, and was located at that point until February 27, 1893, when he was appointed to his present position. He was married, at Altoona, Pa., August 1, 1888, to Miss Annie Bussman, daughter of Charles and Susan Bussman, of Altoona. Their union has been blessed with two children : Alma May and Alexander Wallis. Mr. Eberle has rep- resented the Second ward of the city of Al- toona in common council for two terms. He is a member of Altoona Lodge, No. 281, F. & A. M., and of Logan Lodge, No. 79, K. of P., of Altoona. He is a Republican, and attends the United Brethren church.
BIGELOW, LUCIUS S., general manager and secretary of the W O. Hickok Manufactur- ing Company, Harrisburg, Pa., and its ac- tive head since the spring of 1SSS, was born in Homer. Courtland county, N. Y., Septem- ber 6, 1859. During his childhood Mr. Bigelow lived in Homer, N. Y., Jackson, Mich., Silver Creek, N. Y., and Buffalo, N. Y. At the last named place, he, as a youth, took a lively interest in the art of printing, and started in an amateur way a printing office, in a building adjoining the rear of the family homestead. Some time later he took into partnership a brother, now of Boston, then connected with one of the Buf- falo banks.
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Business increased, and by degrees this small office grew into prominence. It was removed into the business portion of the city, and conducted under the firm name of Bigelow Bros., to which firm, later, a third brother, then connected with the auditing department of the F. and P. M. railway at East Saginaw, Mich., was admitted to part- nership, the business having been again ex- tended.
Later, the founder of this well-known concern, receiving a flattering proposition from a company of large lumber operators, took a responsible position with them, which at times called him into Pennsylvania. Dur- ing these trips into the Keystone State Mr. Bigelow met and subsequently married Miss Sarah Esther Harris, born in Harrisburg, and one of the few living direct descendants of John Harris, who settled on the present site of Harrisburg, and of John Harris, his son, the founder of the city which bears his name, and who gave to the State of Penn- sylvania, for the site of a State house, the beautiful spot upon which that building now stands, and to the city of Harrisburg " Market Square," for market purposes.
Although Mr. Bigelow's lumber connec- tions were in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, N. Y., the largest lumber shipping point in the world, he decided to live in Harrisburg, making that city the center of the territory which he controlled and conducted in the sales department of the business. During his early residence in Harrisburg Mr. Bige- low met many of the business men of that city, and receiving one day a request to drop into the office of one of these gentlemen, he complied, and was there told that the board of directors of the W. O. Hickok Manufac- turing Company had at a recent meeting de- cided to offer for his acceptance the position of general manager and secretary of that company. This suggestion was an entire surprise to Mr. Bigelow, since he had known nothing of the proposed plan, but bis early training in printing and bookbinding having well fitted him to conduct the mechanical end of the Hickok Company's business, which is the manufacturing of bookbinder's and paperruler's machinery, and his experi- ence in later years having fitted him to con- duct the office, sales department and general business, he finally, after deliberation, de- cided to accept the offer, although in doing so he gave up a very desirable position and business. Certain suggestions made by the
directors of the Hickok Company decided him to make the change. The business has prospered under Mr. Bigelow's management ; its line of manufactures has received mate- rial additions, thus enlarging its field of usefulness and profit. The concern is doing a large foreign as well as domestic business. "The recent addition of a bicycle department to the line of manufactures of the Hickok Company was purely the outcome of sugges- tions and investigations made by Mr. Bige- low. His untiring efforts, coupled with a highly expert assistant in the foreman of that department, whom he has secured from another city, bids fair to make of it a marked success. They will build the highest grade of wheels.
Mr. Bigelow is a stockholder in the J. H. McFarland Printing Company, a member of the Board of Trade of Harrisburg and the secretary of the Association of American Manufacturers. In his political views he is a Republican. He is a member of Market Square Presbyterian church and is solo bass in its choir. He is a trustee of the Paxtang Presbyterian church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow are : Katharine, Harris Storres and Allen Caryl.
FOOSE, JACOB A., superintendent and man- ager of the Harrisburg Tinsmith Company, was born in Lancaster, Pa., February 11, 1860. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hambright) Foose. They are natives cf Lancaster county, where his father was for many years identified with prominent busi- ness interests. He efficiently filled the office of chief of police in Lancaster for many years, and for many years served the city well in the select council. He now resides in Read- ing, Pa., and conducts an extensive tin and copper smithing business. These parents have three children living: Anna, wife of William B. Cox; Ida, wife of Ambrose Sny- der, and Jacob A. The latter received a limited education in the Lancaster public schools. At ten years of age he began to work in his father's shop at plumbing, ga -- fitting, tin and copper smithing. After four- teen years of this employment in his native city he removed to Lebanon, Pa., in iSS1. and was for one year foreman of a tinismith- ing establishment there. In June. 1555, he opened a shop in Harrisburg in connection with the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Company, which he has since operated, har- ing been connected with his present business
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from its beginning. He was ;married in Lancaster, November 15, 1877, to Sarah F., daughter of Peter and Amanda Stout, of Reading, Pa. Of their ten children, six died in infancy. Those living are: Jacob S., Frank D., Bertha II., and Helen. Mr. Foose is an active member of Cornplanter Tribe, No. 61, I. O. R. M .; of Dauphin Castle, K. of G. E .; and Philadelphia Council, Legion of Honor. He is an ardent Demo- crat. He attends the Lutheran church.
BUEHLER, MARTIN H., general manager of the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, was born at Harrisburg, January 29, 1861. Hc is a son of Jacob and Anna C. (Locher) Buehler. His father was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 20, 1825. He is a son of Martin and Anna M. (Schaubhut) Buchler, who were born in the town of Eichen, Parish of Schopfhein, Baden, Ober- land, Germany ; the former May 19, 1780, the latter May 18, 1783. The father was a weaver ; he was married, January 10, 1804, and in 1817 came to America. He died in April, 1352, and his wife died in Septem- ber, 1852. Jacob was reared to manhood in Lancaster county, receiving his education in the public schools and private schools of that county. He was engaged in mercan- tile pursuits there until 1859, at which time he removed to Harrisburg, and for thirty- six years has been continuously in business in this city. He was married, in Lancaster, March 12, 1851, to Ann C. Locher, daugh- ter of Jacob H. and Mary E. Locher, born in Boonsborough, Washington county, Md. They had three children, namely : Mary G., wife of H. L. Hershey, recorder of Dauphin county, residing in Harrisburg; Martin H. and William E., residing in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Buchler, mother of Martin H., died September 24, 1893. The grandparents, Martin and Anna M. Buchler, had born to them nine children, namely: John, born January 22, 1805, died May 14, 1811; Mar- tin, born April 20, 1806, died May 19, 1880; Anna Maria, born October 18; 1807 ; Anna Barbara, born July 24, 1810, died December 25, 18SG; Catherina, born April 9, 1813, widow of the iate Gottlieb Laudenschlager, residing in Wayne county, Ohio; John George, born April 23, 1815; John, born at sea, in 1817, died September 30, 1857 ; Nancy, born in 1819, died in 1843, and Jacob. The grandparents on the father's side were John Jacob Bueller, a citizen of Schlechtbach,
and burgomaster of Reitbach, Germany, and Maria, born in Blum. The grandpar- ents on the mother's side were John Schaub- hut, a citizen and weaver of Eichen, born July 9, 1752, and Barbara, who died Decem- ber 30, 1801. Thedescendants of the mother were Anna Maria Schaubhut, Maria Bar- bara, born August 19, 1781, married July 27, 1806, to Joli George Ratz, a mason, who was born July 18, 1782, and came to America with their three children in 1817; also a stepsister named Anna, who was born November 1, 1804. The before-mentioned John Schaubhut married for his second wife, Magdalene Rotzler, widow of John George Heckendorn, in Eichen, December 27, 1763, and died January 28, 1827.
Martin H. obtained his primary educa- tion in Seiler's Academy, Harrisburg, and completed his studies in the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, from which institution he was graduated in 1882. From this date he has been continuously connected with the Pennsylvania Telephone Company, and for eleven years of that time has faithfully and efficiently performed the duties of sec- retary and treasurer of the company. Early in 1894 he was appointed general manager of the company. He was married, in Har- risburg, November 14, 1894, to Miss Fannie May Shearer, daughter of Joseph W. and Annie (Myers) Shearer, of Harrisburg. In political views Mr. Buehler is a Republican. His wife attends Zion Lutheran church. Mr. Buehler has displayed business capacity and reliability which claim recognition and respect. His standing and character arc high.
WEAST, GEORGE B., was born in Mifflin township, Cumberland county, January 24, 1862. His father, Jacob Weast, is a native of Cumberland county, and is now a pros- perous farmer of Newville, Cumberland county. His mother, Lavinia (Christlip) Weast, is also a native of Cumberland county. The family consists of eight living children: George B., Minerva, the wife of Carl Alexander, residing at Carlisle, Pa., Minnie, Levi, Clara, wife of John Heberling, residing in Mifllin, Irvin, Theodore and Howard. The father has filled numerous township offices.
George B. received his education in the public schools of Mifflin. When seventeen years old he went to Newville, and learned the tinsmith's trade at which he has worked
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all his life. For five years he was in busi- ness for himself in Newville, and sinee 1889 has done business in Harrisburg. In the management of business he has met with suc- cess commensurate with his unusual abilities. His strictly honorable methods, his pru- denec and social worth command the respect of the community. He was married at New- ville, October 11, 1883, to Miss Annic Myers. To them have been born five children, one of whom died in infancy. The living children are Mary L., Annie, Ralph and Roy. Mr. Weast is a member of Conodoguinci Lodge, No. 173, I. O. O. F. He was a member of the council at Newville one term, and pre- sided over that body for one year. His fam- ily attend the Lutheran church.
-DUNKEL, SAMUEL F., vice-president of the Harrisburg Manufacturing and Boiler Com- pany, was born in Swatara township, Dau- phin county, Pa., May 3, 1862; son of Jo- siah A. and Mary (Bishop) Dunkel, both na- tives of Dauphin county and residing ai Steelton. Samuel F. received his education in the public schools of Swatara township and in Sciler's Academy, and also took a course in the Business College of Harrisburg. After completing his education he engaged in the hardware business with his father, under the firm name of J. S. Dunkel & Son, and continued several years, when he pur- ehased his father's interest and conducted the business four years longer on his own aeecunt. In 1889 he became president and manager of the Star Steam Heating Com- pany, and in 1892 acquired an interest in the Harrisburg Manufacturing and Boiler Company, of which he was made the vice- president in 1894. He is also a partner in the firm of J. S. Dunkel Sons & Co., real estate dealers at Steelton. Mr. Dunkel was married in Steelton to Miss Jessie Sefton, daughter of Charles J. and Rebecca Sefton, of Fairfield, Adams county, Pa. They have no children. Mr. Dunkel has filled the offiee of school director for eleven years, and has been secretary of the board two years and treasurer four years. In his political views he is a Republican. He attends the Lutheran church.
- BLOUGH, WILSON R., senior member of the Blough Manufacturing Company, was born in Palmyra, Lebanon county, Pa., May 22, 1862. Ile is a son of Cyrus and Sarah (Meyer) Blough. His parents have been
continuous and honored residents of Harris- burg, where his father has conducted a suc- cessful dairy business for the past twenty- five years. The father is a native of Loba- non eounty, and his wife of Dauphin county, and both are living. They had four chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, those living are Wilson R., Laura, wife of Thomas R. Redmond, Jr., and Bertram F.
When about eight years of age, Wilson R. removed to Harrisburg with his parents, and his education was received in the public schools of this city. He began business as traveling salesman and was thus employed until 1892. On February 7, 1892, in con- neetion with his brother, Bertram F., he en- gaged in the manufacture of ladies' and children's wear, under the firm name of Blough Manufacturing Company. He was married, in Harrisburg, to Miss Catherine Kline, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Kline, old and honored residents of Dauphin county. They have had four children: Mabel, Violet, Ruth and Beatrice. Mr. Blough is a member of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F.
.. BLOUGH, BERTRAM F., of the Blough Man- ufaeturing Company, was born in Harris- burg, July 22, 1873. His edneation was re- ceived in the public schools and Business College of his native city. He was for a time a traveling salesman. In 1892 he be- came a member of the Blough Manufactur- ing Company. These young men have just started in their business career. Their good qualities are apparent in the success s happily inaugurated, and so promising as to its future stability and enlargement. They are already respected as reliable business men, and are cordially granted a place of prominence among good citizens.
- HILDRUP, WILLIAM T., JR., was born in Harrisburg, Pa. He is a son of Wilham T. and Harriet (Esselstyne) Hildrup. Ile re- ceived his primary education in the private schools of his native city, was a student in the MeClellan Institute of West Chester, Pa .. for three years, and for four years studied at. the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel- phia, finishing his course at this institution with the class of 1882. receiving the degree of B. S. and Mechanical Engineer. Atter completing his edueation he was connected with the Harrisburg Car Manufacturing Company in the charge of additionsand im-
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provements of shops, efficiently filling this position until 1890. During this time he was also secretary and assistant treasurer of the company and superintendent of the car wheel department.
In 1890, in connection with Messrs. J. IT. Patton and D. E. Traey, Mr. Hildrup formed the associations now called the Harrisburg Pipe Bending Company (limited) and the Harrisburg Tinsmith's Company (limited), of which companies he is the capable and faithful secretary and treasurer. He is a gentleman of wide intelligence, of great en- ergy and of laudable ambition. He is pop- ular with all classes and is regarded as one of the leading business men of the city. Mr. Hildrup is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M .; Harrisburg Council, No. 499, Royal Areanum. He is one of the governors of the Harrisburg club. In po- litical views he is a Republican.
-HARVIE, JOHN C., senior member of the firm of Harvie & Biekley, proprietors of the Keystone Forge and Machine Works, was born at Harrisburg, December 22, 1862. He is a son of John and Jean (Nairns) Harvie. His parents were both born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America in 1852. They located at Philadelphia, and resided there about three years. In 1855 they re- moved to Harrisburg, where they have lived for forty years. The father is a belt-maker, but of late years has lived a retired life. The parents had born to them a family of six children : Jennie, wife of HI. Lutz; Ellen, wife of M. Dwyer; James ; Jolm.C .; Annie, wife of Edward C. Rouch, and Carrie. John C. was reared to manhood in this eity and educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of machinist, which has been his occupation through life. He has been a continuous resident of Harrisburg sinee his birth, with the exception of five years. In political views he is a Republican. He at- tends the Presbyterian church. The manu- facturing plant at the head of which Mr. Harvie stands is one of the solid industries of the city. His career as a manufacturer has been marked by those qualities of mind and method which control success.
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