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. 2 > Part 11
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-BELL, GEORGE H., was born in Harrisburg. July 27, 1822; son of William and Elizabeth (Hutman) Bell. The father was a native of Northumberland county and moved to Bed- ford county, where he learned the trade of carpenter. He came to Harrisburg in 1818 and worked on the Capitol building, then being erected, assisting in the construction of the stairways of that edifice. He married the daughter of Mathias Hutman and pur- chased property on the corner of Second and
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Mulberry streets, where he lived until 1836, when he removed to Second and Chestnut streets, and spent there the remainder of his life. He abandoned carpenter work in 1824 or 1825 and engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Bell was one of the original stockholders in the Dauphin County Bank. He rendered service in the war of 1812. His death oc- curred in 1846, his wife surviving until 1868. He was a member of the German Reformed church and she of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reared six children. George H. secured his education in subscription schools. He entered the store with his father, and has continued in the business since that time. In politics he is an Inde- pendent Republican. He served as director of the poor of the county for three years and was a member of the first city council of Harrisburg. His marriage occurred in 1862 to Miss Mary A. Roberts, daughter of Wayne Roberts, of Boston, to whom has been born one child : Clara M. Bell. Mrs. Bell and her daughter are members of the Lutheran church.
-WEAVER, JOHN S., of the firm of Weaver & Hubley, was born in Highspire, Dauphin county, Pa., December 12, 1849; son of John and Barbara (Hoffman) Weaver. The father was a truck gardener and farmer, near High- spire. John S. attended the district schools and when thirteen years old came to Har- risburg, where he started in business as a clerk for Mr. Felix, in the confectionery busi- ness, on Market Square, with whom he con- tinued four years, after which he was with Gardner & Sayford, on North Third street, from 1868 to 1872. In January, 1873, he united with Alpheus T. Hubley, forming the firm of Weaver & Hubley, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of confection- ery, and has since continued in the business. In politics Mr. Weaver is a Republican, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married in 1876 to Anna C. Troup, of Har- risburg. They have no children. They are members of the First Lutheran church, in which Mr. Weaver holds the office of dea- con. He is also a member of the Y. M. C. A.
ZINN, ANSON B., baker, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, Pa., December 5, 1856. He is a son of Edward P. and Margaret (Pisle) Zinn.
Edward P. Zinn is a native of York county. He received an ordinary school
education, and afterwards prepared himself for the practice of dentistry. He opened an office in Mechanicsburg, where he spent many years of successful work in that line. He was skillful and reliable in his opera- tions, and enjoyed a liberal patronage. For several years he has laid aside the active work of his profession. His wife, Margaret Pisle, was a native of Cumberland county. They had five children ; one died in child- hood, and four are living: Anson B., Ida E., Harry I. and Minnie Bell.
Anson B. Zinn spent his youth and part of his manhood in his native county. He received the usual school training, and learned the trade of baking. His life has not been very eventful, and there is little to record, beyond the honorable mention of in- dustrious pursuits and faithful service. Mr. Zinn spent many years as an employee, but was nine years in the baking business on his own account in his native place. He came to Harrisburg in 1890, in search of larger business opportunities, and has found no reason to regret the change. He has had gratifying success in this city, and is counted among its most reliable, enterprising and accommodating bakers.
Mr. Zinn is still in the ranks of the bachelors. He is a Republican, and a mem- ber of Washington Camp, No. 164, P. O. S. of A., Mechanicsburg.
-MEALS, THEODORE S., was born in Adams county, Pa., January 1, 1859. He is a son of the late Michael and Catherine (Shorb) Meals. His great-grandfather, Gabriel Meals, was a native of Adams county, and among its earliest inhabitants. He was a stone cutter. Gabriel Meals, grandfather of Theodore S. Meals, was also born in Adams county, was a stone cutter, and had a large marble yard. He had a family of twelve children, four of whom are living. Michael Meals, father of Theodore S., was born in Adams county, and was a carriage maker. He was married to Miss Catherine Shorb, a native of Adams county. They had six children, four of whom are living: Wesley, William, Gabriel and Theodore S. Their deceased children are Susan and Elizabeth. The father was a member of several societies, and in politics was a Republican. He belonged to the Lutheran church. He died in September, 1859, aged thirty-six years; his wife died December 23, 1872.
Theodore S. Meals was about nine months
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old when his father died. His mother re- moved from Adams county to Harrisburg, placing him in the Orphans' School at Mid- dletown, Dauphin county, where he remained three years and received a part of his educa- tion. He then returned to Harrisburg. In 1869 he entered the De Witt school, on Wal- nut street, where he remained three years. In 1873-74 he was in Professor Gause's school. In 1875 he found employment with Mr. D. H. Heisey, with whom he learned the ice- cream business and by whom he was em- ployed for thirteen years. At the end of this time he was admitted to partnership with Mr. Heisey; this partnership lasted two years. In 1888 he was employed as rodman in an engineer corps, and served one year in that capacity. In 1889-90 he was inspector of street paving. In 1891 he engaged in the ice-cream business for himself, at No. 1315 North Third street. A year later he removed to 909 North Third street, where he has been since located, and where he has one of the finest ice-cream stands in the city. He was married, October 16, 1890, to Miss Rosanna, daughter of John and Sophia (Orsinger) Wild, by whom he has had three children: Casper D., Ezra S., and Theodore S., Jr. Mr. Meals is a Democrat, and a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, State street, while Mrs. Meals belongs to the Lutheran church. He is practically a self-made man and has the esteem of the community. -
John Wild, father of Mrs. Meals, was a native of Germany, and was a baker. He married Miss Orsinger, a native of Dauphin county. They had six children, of whom four are living: Annie, wife of E. B. Will- iams; Rosanna, wife of T. S. Meals; Will- iam and Minnie. John and Amelia died in infancy. The father died in June, 1877, aged thirty-six ; the mother still lives and is now the wife of John Willoughby. The pa- ternal grandparents of Mrs. Meals were both natives of Germany. Her grandfather was a stone mason. The grandmother still sur- vives. The grandparents of Mrs. Meals, on her mother's side, were also natives of Ger- many. Mr. Orsinger, her grandfather, was a baker, but later was engaged in hotel-keep- ing, in Harrisburg, where he died, May 5, 1892. Mrs. Meals' great-grandmother, also a native of Germany, lived to the age of ninety-eight years.
-BUTTORFF, HARVEY Y., of the D. Bacon Company, wholesale confectioners, Harris-
burg, Pa., was born at Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland county, Pa., September 19, 1868. He is a son of Jonathan and Susan (Yost) Buttorff. Jonathan Buttorff was born in Berks county, Pa., but has been a resident of Mount Holly for over thirty years. He was a farmer but for several years past has lived retired from business. He has never been an office seeker, but has always taken an active interest in county affairs. He is seventy-six years of age. He married Susan Yost, of Cumberland county, who is still living ; thes reside at Mount Holly Springs. They have eight children, all of whom are living : John W., of near Mount Holly ; D. Frank, of York, Pa .; Mary E., Emma Frances and Elizabeth C., at home; Annie F., wife of Samuel Frehn, of near Carlisle, Pa .; Simon A., living on the homestead ; and Harvey Y.
Harvey Y. Buttorff was educated in the Mount Holly public schools and took a course in the Harrisburg Business College. For three years he was clerk in a drug store at Mount Holly and for a time also at York. He afterwards came to Harrisburg, entering the employ of D. Bacon as shipping clerk and served in this capacity for three years with so much satisfaction to his employer that at the end of that time he was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, which he held until Mr. Bacon's death. Then the D. Bacon Com- pany was formed to carry on the business, with Mr. Buttorff as one of its members. He was married, in Gettysburg, Pa., October 22, 1893, to Minerva, daughter of Aaron and Lucy Sheely, of that place. They have one daughter, Lucy Mildred. Mr. Buttorff is a member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle. His political views are Republican. He and his wife are members of Messiah Lutheran church.
-WALKEMEYER, HENRY, senior member of the firm of Walkemeyer Bros., ice dealers, was born in Harrisburg, September 17, 1858; son of the late H. A. William and Margaret (Orth) Walkemeyer. The parents were both natives of Germany, the father having been born at Brunswick, Germany, and the mother in Hesse, Darmstadt. The father came to America when twenty-five years old, and soon after settled at Harrisburg, where he spent his life. He had a family of eight children, of whom six are living: Henry, Clara W., Frederick R., Annie M., Ida Louisa, wife of Samuel Taylor, and Nettie May, a teacher in the public schools of Harrisburg. The
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father was not an office seeker, but served for one year as school commissioner. Henry was reared in his native city, and received his education in the public schools. At the end of his schooling he engaged in the ice business with his father, to which he has given his time and attention all his business life. Since the death of his father he and his brother have conducted the busi- ness. He was married, in Harrisburg, April 13, 1878, to Margaretta M. Miller, daughter of Charles Miller, to whom has been bom one daughter, Clara Wilhelmina. The political viewsof Mr. Walkemeyer are Republican, and he has served as a member of select council four years. He served five years as a private and non-commissioned officer in the City Grays, and was also one of the organizers of the Governor's Troop, in which he was first lieutenant three years. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and member of Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia, and is also connected with John Harris Council, No. 174, Jr. O. U. A. M. Heand his wife attend the Lutheran church.
Frederick R. Walkemeyer, junior mem- ber of the firm of Walkemeyer Bros., was born in Harrisburg. He was educated in the city schools, and like his brother, be- came at once interested in his father's busi- ness, with which he has been connected all his life. He was married to Isabella Sharpe, daughter of Albert Sharpe, to whom have been born six children, five of whom are living: William, Florence, Frederick, Bessie, and Nettie. Mr. Walkemeyer is a member of John Harris Council, No. 174, Jr. O. U. A. M. He is a Republican, and the family attend the Lutheran church.
. SOURBIER, GEORGE H., senior member of the firm of George H. Sourbier & Son, funeral directors and embalmers, was born in Hun- terstown, Adams county, Pa., September 2, 1838. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Klunk) Sourbier, who were both natives of York county, Pa., and were both of German extrac- tion. They spent the greater portion of their lives in Adams county on their farm. The father died September 1, 1879, and the mother, September 9, 1872. A family of four chil- dren survive them: Edward, residing in York, Pa .; John, residing in Hamilton, province of Ontario, Canada; George II., and Mary J., wife of Henry Pifer, residing in York, Pa.
George H. Sourbier was a farmer's boy,
and his educational advantages were limited to such as were obtainable in the district schools, when his services could be spared from home duties. When eighteen years old he went to Hanover, York county, and learned house painting. In 1862 he re- moved to Harrisburg and worked at paint- ing for John Cruikshank for about one year. At the expiration of that time he went to Philadelphia where, on August 24, 1863, Mr. Sourbier enlisted in company H, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania volunteers, and nobly served in defense of his country for upwards of two years. He participated in several important engagements, among which was the battle of the Wilderness. On May 11, 1864, he was severely wounded in the left foot while doing skirmish duty. He was conveved to Satter- ley Hospital, West Philadelphia, where he remained until after the close of the war. He was discharged with the rank of corporal, at Philadelphia, May 16,1865. He resumed work at his trade in that city. In 1866 he returned to Harrisburg, where he has continued to re- side since that date. From 1867 to 1875 he was engaged in the painting business, and from that date until 1882 was in the whole- sale liquor trade. In 1882 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, but since 1884 has devoted his entire attention to undertaking.
George H. Sourbier was married in Har- risburg, January 9, 1866, to Miss Mary Jose- phine Faunce, daughter of Jacob and Caro- line (Beiser) Faunce. They have had four children, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are: George H., Jr., a partner in his father's business ; William J., residing in Allentown, Pa., where he car- ries on the undertaking business, the firm name being Burkholder & Sourbier, and Charles J., residing at home. Mr. Sourbier and his son George are both graduates of Clark's School of Embalming, in Philadel- phia. Ile served five years as a private in company D, Eighth regiment, National Guard, of Harrisburg. He represented the Sixth ward in common council for two terms. He belongs to Post No. 116, G. A. R. He is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Citizens Passenger Street Railway Company. In political views he is Demo- crat. He attends St. Patrick's Pro-Cathe- dral.
Jacob Faunce, deceased, the father of Mrs. Sourbier, was born in Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America, settling in Dau-
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phin county about the year 1833. He be- came acquainted with his wife on board the vessel that brought them over and shortly after arriving in America they were married. After a short residence on Long Island, N. Y., they removed to this county where Mr. Faunce engaged in the butcher business during the remainder of his life. He died at the age of thirty-four years; his widow survived him until September 19, 1872, when she also was called to try the realities of the unknown. They had five children, three of whom survive : Caroline T., wife of Michael McLean ; Joseph J. A., and Mary Josephine, wife of George H. Sourbier, a prominent funeral director of Harrisburg.
. SOURBIER, GEORGE H., JR., a partner in the undertaking and embalming business with his father, was born in Harrisburg, March 13, 1871, and has been a continuous resident of his native city since his birth. His education was begun in the parochial schools and completed in Seiler's Academy, since which he has been connected with his father's business. In January, 1894, he was admitted to a partnership in this business.
He was married in Harrisburg, April 11, 1894, to Ella .E. Madden, daughter of Michael J. and Elizabeth Madden, of Harrisburg. They have one son, named in baptism Ed- ward Vincent. In political views Mr. Sour- bier is affiliated with the Democratic party. He and his wife attend St. Patrick's Pro- Cathedral.
. HAWKINS, JAMES D., funeral director, was born in Hartford county, Md., April 21, 1850. He is a son of Archibald A. and Nancy (Macomber) Hawkins. He received his education in the public schools and Nor- mal School of Delta, Pa., whither he had re- moved with his parents in his early youth. He entered the undertaking establishment of his father, and for twenty-five years he has continuously given his attention to this business, twenty-three of which have been spent in Harrisburg. He is a graduate of the renowned Training School for Embalm- ers of New York as well as of the Harrisburg Embalming School. He has been engaged in business for himself for over ten years. He is an active member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M .; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21; Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, of Harrisburg, and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia ; Herculean Castle, No. 480,
Knights of the Golden Eagle; and Egyptian Commandery, No. 114, Knights of Malta ; also a member of Sovereign Consistory, Scot- tish Rite Masons. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has been prominently identified in musical circles in Harrisburg as a vocalist. He was one of the promoters and an officer of the Thurs- day Club, and an officer in the old Har- monic Society. He has contributed his tal- ent as a vocalist to many of the leading musicales and operatie performances given in Harrisburg. He has sung in the choirs of Grace church, the German Reformed church, Jewish synagogue and Grace Epis- copal church of Baltimore. He is highly esteemed as a good business man, a gentle- man of culture and a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Hawkins was married at Philadelphia, April 27, 1896, to Miss Sarah Cornelia Cook, daughter of Henry and Mary Cook, of Har- risburg.
-THOMAS, JOSEPH L., of the firm of Thomas & Hill, funeral directors and embalmers, is a son of George W. and Matilda (Coxston) Thomas, and was born in Winchester, Va., December 16, 1851.
The ancestors of Mr. Thomas on both pa- ternal and maternal sides were natives of Virginia, in which State his parents resided until the breaking out of the late Rebellion. In 1861 the family removed to Harrisburg, where they resided for three years, and in June, 1864, they moved to Philadelphia, where the mother of Joseph L. died in Feb- ruary, 1865, and the father in December, 1868. Of a family of seven children, two died in infancy, George died in Philadelphia in 1869, at the age of eleven years, and these still survive: Joseph L .; Rachael, wife of Talmage Edwards, residing in New York : Martha W., wife of William H. Fields, re- siding in Harrisburg, and Sarah Matilda, wife of Jobn H. Murray, residing in Harris- burg.
Joseph L. acquired his primary education in the schools of Harrisburg, and after his removal to Philadelphia attended the schools of that city until 1870, in which year he re- turned to Harrisburg and became a waiter in the Brady House. He later served in the same capacity in the Lochiel Hotel, and subsequently became head waiter at the Bolton House, Harrisburg, which position he efficiently filled for ten years. During the years 1893 and 1894 he filled the posi-
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tion of assistant head waiter at the Logan House, of Altoona, and on May 1, 1895, en- gaged in his present business.
Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Prof. P. A. Renavord's Training School for Embalmers. He is past master of Chosen Friends Lodge, No. 43, Harrisburg; a member of Purity Chapter, of Altoona, and Harrisburg Con- sistory, No. 8, A. Y. M .; member of Broth- erly Love Lodge, No. 896; Council No. 7, and Harrisburg Patriarchic, No. 5, G. U. O. of O. F. During the years 1881, 1882 and 1883 he filled the office of district grand master of the latter order, and in the years 1879, 1880 and 1881 was grand patri- archie for the United States. In political views he is an ardent Republican.
Mr. Thomas was married in Harrisburg, October 26, 1881, by the Rev. George M. Bonnard, to Miss Marion B. Himes, daugh- ter of William E. and Annie E. Himes, of Northumberland county, who was born at Mount Joy, October 14, 1865. No children have been born to their union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Capi- tol Street Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Thomas was choirmaster for eighteen years, and now holds the office of secretary.
The occupation of undertaker is one that necessitates certain qualities not common to all lines of business in consequence of being thrown in contact with those in deep afflic- tion. Mr. Thomas is a gentleman whose pronounced success evidences his possession of all the essential qualifications for a proper conduct of this line of business. He gives personal attention to all details, is always ready to render any and every service to those in affliction, and is very considerate as to their wants and requirements.
- MAUK, CHARLES H., funeral director and embalmer, was born in Shiremanstown, Cum- berland county, Pa., May 8, 1863. His father is Thomas Mauk, who was born in Germany and came to America in childhood and set- tled in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, l'a. He is one of the leading men in Me- chanicsburg. He was engaged in the furni- ture trade and in undertaking in that town for forty years. IIe now lives retired. His mother, Catherine E. (Hamburg) Mauk, is also a native of Germany and came to this country when quite young. She died Jan- ary 1, 1895. To these worthy parents were born ten children, of whom three died in infancy. Their seven living children are :
John J., undertaker, residing in Columbus, Ohio; Thomas M., also an undertaker, of Carlisle, Pa .; Charles II .; Catherine E., wife of Dr. G. M. Hoovor, of Harrisburg ; Mary Ellen, residing at home; Samuel T., an un- dertaker, in Steelton, Pa., and Lottie, resid- ing at home. The father served in the com- missary department at Old Point Comfort under Governor Curtin during the late Re- bellion.
The boyhood days of Charles H. were spent in Mechanicsburg. He received his primary education in the public schools. He took a complete course in the Cumber- land - Valley Institute and graduated with high honors. After this he finished learning the trade of cabinet and casket making with his father. He then went to California, where he spent four years in gold and silver mining, also working at undertaking in San Francisco, after which he returned home. The same year he received an appointment as city embalmer in Boston, Mass., and en- tered the employment of Lewis L. Jones & Co., undertakers, and remained with them about one and one-half years. He then re- turned to Mechanicsburg, and in April, 1891, engaged in business for himself in Har- risburg. Ile is a graduate of Sullivan's Em- balming School, of Pittsburgh; Clark's, of Boston, and the United States College, of New York City.
Mr. Mauk is the most prominent and suc- cessful undertaker in Harrisburg, and ranks as one of the leading men in his profession in the State. His trade is extensive, and his equipments are many and complete as well as costly. He is the Pennsylvania railroad undertaker, having been endorsed by nearly one thousand of its employees. He also does a large business in receiving bodies from a long distance. His office and stables arc complete with long distance telephone, and his male and female assistants are of the best in all cases. He is not only a square but charitable man in all his dealings and busi- ness transactions.
Mr. Mauk was married, at Harrisburg, Oc- tober 19, 1894, to M. Josephine Todd, daugh- ter of Ira J. and Catherine Todd, of Harris- burg. They had one son, Byron Todd, who died in infancy. He is a prominent men- ber of St. John's Lodge, No. 21, F. A. M., of Carlisle ; Carlisle Chapter, No. 21, of Car- lisle ; Harrisburg Council, No. 328, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Harrisburg; Octorara Tribe, No. 91, I. O. R. M .; Daughters of Pocohontas, No.
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50; Lady Harris Council, Daughters of Lib- erty, No. 100; Fraternal Mystic Circle, No. 440; Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P., the I. O. O. F. and K. G. E. He is a staunch and active Republican. He and his wife are among the leading members of Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal church.
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-FACKLER, EZRA, funeral director and fur- niture dealer, was born in Dauphin county, February 12, 1865. He is a son of Jacob. and Sarah Fackler. His father was of Ger- man extraction, and of the fourth genera- tion in this country. He died at Steelton, Pa., in 1881, at the age of forty-six years. His mother is still living, and resides in the city of Harrisburg. Their family consisted of six children: Ezra L., John H., Sarah, Katie, Adeline, and Jennie. Ezra L. Fackler received the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Lower Paxton town- ship, and it was completed in the high school of Steelton, Pa. He embarked in the undertaking business at the age of nine- teen years, at Steelton, and has continued in it to the present time. Mr. Fackler is a man of strict integrity and is held in high esteem for his honorable business methods ; his character is without a blemish. He was married, in 1883, to Fannie Heinly, a daughter of Benniville and Catherine Heinley. Their children are Samuel S. and Charles C. Fackler.
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