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 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
wife died in 1880. He was a Republican and a member of the Mennonite church. He was a prosperous man, of solid character and great personal worth.
Joseph S. Strickler attended the schools of Derry township, and took an English course in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa .; he also took a commercial course. After studying at Gettysburg for three years he returned to the homestead, and for five years conducted the farm for his father. His father then removed to Cumberland county, and Joseph took charge of the home- stead. He gave to the old farm his undivided attention and it became his joy and his pride. Heplanned important improvements and proceeded to work out his plans. In 1886 he erected one of the finest stone dwell- ings in the township, and furnished it with all modern conveniences, gas, hot and cold water, and bath room, also heating it throughout with steam. He built a magnifi- cent barn with a stone basement, and fur- nished it at a cost of six thousand dollars. He made an additional outlay of two thou- sand dollars upon other outhouses and minor buildings. Altogether, upon new buildings and improvements, he expended fourteen thousand dollars, and thus made for himself one of the most convenient, sub- stantial and luxurious farm homes in the State.
He cultivates two hundred and thirty-five acres of land and keeps the entire farm under the most skillful and productive tillage. His farm is stocked with the finest breeds of horses, cattle, hogsand sheep, and no farmer surpasses him in raising live stock. In addition to his extensive and profitable operations in agricul- ture, he has fitted up a lime burning plant of several kilns, and is now able to produce thirty thousand bushels of lime per year.
He was one of the promoters of the Farm- ers' Bank, of Hummelstown, and has been a director of the bank since 1885. IIe is a Republican, but his political action centers in voting, not in seeking office. He was elected justice of the peace, but would not accept the office. He has always found enough in his farm and business to employ his time and strength. Mr. Strickler is a model business man and an exemplary citi- zen. He is enterprising and progressive and in every way up with the times. He is widely known and everywhere honored and respected.
In December, 1858, he married, in Middle-
678
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
.
town, Susan, daughter of Jacob B. Hummel, of Hummelstown, Pa., born December 18, 1840. They had twelve children, three of whom are living: Marian C., born Septem- ber 8, 1859, wife of Dr. M. R. Fisher, of Campbellstown, Pa., a practicing physician ; Charles, born October 5, 1868, educated in the district schools and Commercial College, in Philadelphia, resides on the homestead, is an excellent young man, well-equipped for business and promises a successful career, unmarried ; Edwin J., educated at college, now in New Orleans. The deceased chil- dren are : Elizabeth, born February 26, 1865, died March 19, 1865; Samuel H., born Sep- tember 30, 1863, died October 14, 1866 ; George H., born October 24, 1862, died Sep- tember 1, 1877; Katie H., born August 26, 1870, died July 27, 1886; A. Lincoln, born November 8, 1860, died January 2, 1887. Four other children died in infancy. Mrs. Strickler died at the homestead, April 7, 1877. On September 30, 1879, Mr. Strick- ler married his second wife, Emma Epler, born in Londonderry township, April 6, 1847. She died April 10, 1895, without issue.
- HERSHEY, MARTIN L., M. D., Derry Church, Dauphin county, Pa., was born in Derry Church, April 1, 1857. John Hershey, his father, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., in 1799, the son of Henry Hershey, an exten- sive and prominent farmer of that county. John Hershey was educated in the subscrip- tion schools of the township, and was all his life a farmer. He removed to Dauphin county, where he was extensively engaged both in farming and in stock raising. He married Catherine M. Friel, born in Leb- anon county, near Campbellstown, the daughter of Patrick Friel, a Lebanon county farmer, of Irish descent. They had seven children : Henry F., an employee of the steel works, Steelton, Pa., member of the council of Steelton, married Miss Frantz, and has two children, Grace and Justus; Margaret, single, resides at Chicago, Ill .; Isaac F., farmer, of Oberlin, Kan .; and Martin L. The deceased children were: Mary, wife of S. S. Shirk, contractor and builder, left one child ; Edgar, timekeeper at the Steelton steel works; Elizabeth and Mandanna died young. Mr. Hershey was a Whig. He was a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, and a. widely known and highly respected man. He died in 1884, his wife in 1890.
Martin L. Hershey attended the district schools of Derry Church ; was graduated at Lebanon Valley College. He taught school at Derry Church, giving universal satisfac- tion. Having chosen to prepare himself for the medical profession, he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and after two years' close application to study he was graduated with honors in the class of 1883. He opened an office in his native town, Derry Church, and was well received by his old friends and neighbors. He has succeeded in building up a large practice. He stands in the lead of his profession, second to none in the county. He has a host of friends, ad- mirers and patrons; his name is a house- hold word in the community.
Dr. Hershey is also prominent in politics as an active Republican. In 1890 he was elected to the State Legislature on the Re- publican ticket by a large majority ; in 1892 he was again elected to the same office, de- feating his opponent by three thousand votes. He was chairman of the education committee, and member of the fisheries committee and several other important com- mittees of the House of Representatives. He was an industrious worker and was distin- guished for his ability. He was married, in 1885, in Lancaster county, Pa., to Miss Eliza- beth F., daughter of Diller and Mary (Groff') Bare, born at Bareville, Lancaster county. February, 1865. They have had four chil- dren : Ruth M., born August 3, 1886; John B., born November 6, 1887, died in August, 1888; Paul M., born January 17, 1SSS; Cathe- rine E., born April 30, 1889.
Diller Bare, the father of Mrs. Hershey, was the second son of ex-Sheriff Adam Bare, who was well known in Lancaster county for superior intelligence and ability. He was married twice; first, to Rachael Diller, of whom two children survive: Sarah, wife of Prof. Shinimell, teacher in the Harrisburg schools and editor of the School Gazcite; and Annie, wife of Dr. W. C. Baker, of Hummels- town. He was married, secondly, to Miss Mary Groff, by whom there are two chil- dren : Elizabeth, wife of Dr. M. L. Hershey, and Harry E., of Philadelphia. Mrs. Bare died in May, 1895, and Mr. Bare resides with his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Hershey.
MOYER, JOHN H., senior member of the firm of Moyer & Brightbill, flour, grain and coal merchants, Derry Church, was born in Derry Church, Dauphin county, Pa., Novem-
1 1
679
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
ber 12, 1857. His father, John B. Moyer, was also born at Derry Church, and is a son of John Moyer, who was a prominent farmer and stockman of Lebanon county, Pa., well and favorably known throughout that county. In 1848 John B. Moyer married Catherine Kline, born in East Hanover township, Dau- phin county, Pa. They had five children : John H .; Lizzie, wife of D. M. Stoudi, farmer, of Derry township; Felix, merchant; Katie, unmarried ; Mary A., died young. His poli- tics were Republican. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and a well-known and highly honored citizen. He died in 1881; his wife still lives and has her home in Derry Church.
John H. Moyer was educated in the dis- trict schools, and at Millersville and Pal- myra. For five years after completing his education he taught school, and gave gen- eral satisfaction as a teacher. He then em- barked in the coal business at Derry Church, which he conducted for five years and made very profitable. For three years of this time he also dealt in grain. His success and the increase of the business demanded the ad- mission of a partner, whom he found in the person of his brother-in-law, Henderson Brightbill, with whom he formed, in 1888, the firm of Moyer & Brightbill. These part- ners were young men, full of life and energy, with much business ability and enterprise. They began on a large scale. They erected one of the largest mills in the county and equipped it with machinery which enabled them to manufacture high grade flour in large quantities. They have maintained the grade of their flour, and the firm of Moyer & Brightbill has established a reputation throughout the State for manufacturing the highest grade roller process flour. They have thus built up an extensive and profit- able trade. They are also general grain mer- chants as well as coal and salt dealers. They rank among the most successful business men of the county. Mr. Moyer also culti- vates one of the largest farms in the town- ship, on which he raises some of the finest stock which goes to the market from this region. In this department of his business he employs a considerable number of men.
He was married, in 1882, to Miss Lizzie Brightbill, born near Campbellstown, Pa., in 1861. They have four children : Homer, Viola, Bessie, and Roy, all attending school. Mr. Moyer is a Republican. He is charac- terized by unusual business ability and tact.
His judgment is accurate and his general views comprehensive. He is enterprising, genial and popular, and is always a leader in trade.
HUMMEL, REV. SOLOMON M., Derry Church, was born near Hummelstown, Pa., February 3, 1839. His father, Jacob B. Hummel, was born in Hummelstown, a son of Jacob Hum- mel. Jacob B. was a farmer, belonged to the Democratic party and was a member of the Lutheran church. He was a substantial, honorable and genial man, and died in Hum- melstown in 1894. He married Fanny Mumma, a native of Dauphin county, who died in 1873. They had eight children : Solomon M .; Mary, wife of John Landis, merchant, Hummelstown; Jacob, a miller in Lebanon county, Pa .; Elizabeth, wife of L. Strickler, of Hummelstown; Susan, de- ceased, wife of J. S. Strickler, farmer and lime manufacturer, of Derry township; Cath- erine, deceased, wife of Franklin Blessing : Fanny, and Isaac died young.
Solomon M. Hummel attended the home schools of the township and worked on his farther's farm until he was twenty-five years old. At this time he decided to become a minister of the Gospel and took up the study of theology. After three years of study he was ordained to the ministry of the United Brethren church. He became an able and popular pastor and preacher, and labored with zeal and success in important places. He was pastor of the Union Circuit in Dau- phin and Lancaster counties for two years. He was elected presiding elder by the Ger- man United Brethren Conference and served in the district composed of Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Philadelphia and other coun- ties for three years. . Being affected with a weakness of the throat, which interfered at times with the use of his voice in public speaking, and made it impossible for him to perform the regular work of the ministry, he was compelled to resign his pastorate. He reluctantly retired from professional and public life and located in Derry Church, which has since been his residence. As a local preacher he still devotes much time to the spiritual wants of the people. Ile is a man of broad and deep sympathy and is interested in the welfare and happiness of the people. He is of a kindly disposition and easily approached by all classes. His counsel and help are sought by those in trouble and
680
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
want; his presence is a benediction to the place.
While in a measure prevented by one form of physical weakness from doing regular professional work he is still a vigorous man, able to engage in other business. In 1884 he took up the coal business, which he man- aged with characteristic energy and skill and in which he meets with success. Mr. Hummel was married, in 1864, at Derry Church, to Mary, daughter of Martin L. Nissley, of Derry Church. They had one child, Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hummel died in 1892. He married again, January 23, 1895, Elizabeth, daughter of O. S. Shank, merchant, of Annville, Pa.
BRIGHTBILL, HENDERSON P., junior part- ner of the firm of Moyer & Brightbill, mil- lers and grain, fecd, seeds, coal and salt dealers, Derry Church, Pa., was born near Campbellstown, Lebanon county, Pa., No- vember 16, 1855. His father, Henry Bright- bill, was born in Lebanon county in 1823, and was the son of Abraham Brightbill, farmer of that county. He was reared on the farm, became a farmer, and was thus engaged for some years. He removed to Swatara, Derry township, where he went into the grain business and carried it on successfully for ten years. He married Annie Hoffer, born in Lebanon county. They had four children: Henderson P .; Lizzie, wife of John H. Moyer; and two children who died in infancy. His polities were Republican. He was a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, and died July 10, 1890; his wife is still living.
Henderson P. Brightbill received a liberal education ; he attended the district schools of his native township, and then took a course in the Commercial College, at Pitts- burgh, Pa ; he also took a college course at Oberlin, Ohio. Leaving college, he went to Charleston, Ill., and found employment as clerk in a wholesale grocery house, in which he continued six years. His correct habits, his fidelity and attention to business won for him the confidence and esteem of his em- plovers. He next crossed the continent and at San Pedro, near Los Angeles, Cal., was for five years bookkeeper for a wholesale lumber firm. At the expiration of that time he re- ceived an urgent request from his father to come East and share his rapidly growing and profitable business. He acceded to this re- quest and entered into partnership with Mr. Moyer in the milling and mercantile busi-
ness, under the firm name of Moyer & Bright- bill. An account of this enterprising and successful firm is found in the biographical sketch of Mr. J. H. Moyer in another place in this volume. It needs only be added here that Mr. Brightbill has proven a valuable accession to the business and has contributed his share to the phenomenal success of the firm. Mr. Brightbill was married, in 1886, to Miss Grace, daughter of Dr. A. K. Spears, a prominent physician of Charleston, III. They have two children, Ruth and Madge, both attending school. Mr. Brightbill is a Republican and a member of the Presbyte- rian church of Derry Church, Pa. Begin- ning life without help from others, Mr. Brightbill has secured a liberal education and has advanced himself in a successful business career. He is a good example of what a young man with good talents, correct habits, worthy aspirations and fidelity to duty can accomplish.
"HECKERT, JOHN E., farmer and stockman, Derry Church, Pa., was born in Lower Pax- ton township, Dauphin county, Pa., October 3, 1850. Peter Heckert, his father, was born in Lower Paxton township, in 1812, and was of German descent. He had a common school education. He was all his life a farmer. He cultivated a farm of one hun- dred and seventy-five acres. He married Caroline Unger, born in Lower Paxton township. They had ten children : Kate, unmarried ; John. E .; Calvin, a physician ; Annie, wife of S. Fishburn ; Aaron, of New York; Philip, farmer in Derry township ; Emma, unmarried ; Theodore, Elizabeth, and Jane, all deceased.
John E. Heckert passed his youth in the usual manner of farmer boys, attending the public schools in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. He remained on the farm until 1878, when he removed to Derry township, rented a farm, and culti- vated it for four years. After this, in 1884, he bought a farm of thirty-eight acres in Derry Church. On this land he built a fine residence, and made other improvements, and by careful and skillful tillage and manage- ment brought it to a condition of great pro- ductivenesss and beauty. Mr. Heckert is a man of great industry and energy, and spares neither labor nor expense to make his farm- ing operations successful, He has the finest stock upon his place, and sends into market some of the very best products of his region.
681
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
He was married, October 15, 1878, to Bar- bara F. Behm, of Derry township, born Jan- uary 1, 1851. They have no children.
Jacob Behm, father of Mrs. Heckert, was born near Annville, Lebanon county, Pa., and is a son of Rudolph Behm, a prominent farmer in that county. He grew up on the farm, and in 1835 removed to Derry town- ship, where he engaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale. He married Fannie Forney, a native of Lebanon county. They had four children: Samuel, of Palmyra; John, of Palmyra; Fannie, wife of A. E. Hershey, and Barbara, wife of J. E. Heck- ert. Mr. Behm was a Republican, and served as county commissioner during the time the court house was erected. He died in May, 1895; his wife in March, 1892. Mr. Heck- ert, in his political views, accords with the Democratic party.
BALSBAUGH, JOHN H., was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 11, 1828. He was educated in the common schools and made farming his occupation until 1858, when he engaged in the grain and coal business at Swatara, where he erected the first building and secured the location of a station by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. He was at the head of the latter business until 1881, when he sold out and gave his attention chiefly to farming, cultivating about seven hundred acres and making substantial improvements in buildings and equipments. He was a large real estate owner, and was considered one of the most successful and progressive farmers in the county. He was manager of the Swatara Stone and Lime Company, in which he had large interests, and was a stockholder and director of the National Bank, of Hummelstown, from its organiza- tion in 1886. He was married, December 23, 1847, to Mary, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Landis) Brightbill, born near Camp- bellstown, Lebanon county, Pa., October 13, 1827. She was a kind-hearted woman, and universally loved and respected. The needy were never turned away from her door unaided. They had two children : Linda, who died young, and Iliram Whe- well. Mr. and Mrs. Balsbaugh met death suddenly on the night before Christmas, 1895. They were found in their bedcham- ber on Christmas morning poisoned to death by the escape of noxious gas from a defective stove pipe. The high esteem in which they
were held in the community wasattested by the gathering at the funeral of the largest concourse of people ever assembled on a like occasion in that section. Fully three thousand people were there met, with hearts full of sympathy and sorrow, and with eyes suffused with tears.
lliram Whewell Balsbaugh, the only sur- viving child and the only son of John II. and Mary Balsbaugh, deceased, was born June 12, 1856. He received a classical edu- cation, beginning with a primary course in the district schools and finishing with the curriculum at Cornell University. After completing his studies he was a partner with his father in the grain business until 1881, when he engaged in journalism, and was employed on Jeading daily newspapers of New York and Chicago. He became con- nected with a prominent life insurance com- pany of New York in 1SSS, occupying posi- tions of trust and responsibility, until the sudden death of his father made it necessary for him to make the homestead, at Swatara, his residence and assume the settlement and care of the estate. He was married, April 29, 1896, to Theodora, daughter of Theodore Pfafflin, of New York, manager of Chicker- ing & Sons, piano manufacturers.
- GISH, JOHN R., farmer and stockman, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Donegal, Lan- caster county, Pa., November 18, 1840. He is a son of John L. and Annie (Ressor) Gish. John L. Gish was born in West Donegal, Lancaster county, and was the son of Jacob Gish, also a native of Lancaster county and a very extensive farmer. The Gish family were among the early settlers of the State, and are supposed to be of Swiss origin. John L. grew up on the farm of his father and made farming his lifelong occupation. He was a Whig, and a member of the Mennonite church. His wife, Annie (Ressor) Gish, Was born in Lebanon county, a daughter of Peter Ressor, of that county. They had these children : Peter, farmer of West Donegal, Lancaster county, Pa .; Jacob, farmer on the old homestead at Donegal; David, deceased ; Samuel, also on the homestead : Abraham, deceased ; John R .; and Annie, who died young. John L. Gish was an honorable, up- right man, intelligent and of sound judg- ment; his advice was sought in business and social matters. He was very popular and highly esteemed.
682
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
John R. Gish was educated in the common schools of the township. He worked apon the farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he married and made a home of his own. He rented a farm in the same town- ship which he cultivated for two years, after which he removed to Elizabethtown, Lan- caster county, and occupied another rented farm for three years. In 1873 he removed to Dauphin county, locating in Derry town- ship, where he settled upon a tract of seventy- four acres. He has improved it at an ex- pense of several thousand dollars and has made his home here since his removal. He has a good limestone farm and raises fine live stock. On February 23, 1867, he was married, at Donegal, Lancaster county, to Mary, daughter of John Rider, who was born in Donegal, September 30, 1841.
John Rider was born in Lancaster county, Pa., February 22, 1811. He was a son of George Rider, a farmer of German descent. He married Lydia Doner, of Lebanon county, by whom he had three children : Eliza, widow of S. Dyer, of Cleveland, Ohio ; George, deceased, of Williamsport; and Mary, wife of John R. Gish. Mr. Gish had three chil- dren by a former marriage: Lillian, born November 6, 1867, unmarried ; John, born January 19, 1871, deceased ; Clayton, born July 30, 1874, attending school at Lebanon. Mr. Rider was a Republican, and died at the farm of Mr. Gish; his wife still lives, aged eighty-four years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. R. Gish.
Mr. John R. Gish is a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church. He is much interested and very active in all church matters. He has been a trustee of the church for six years, and contributed lib- erally toward rebuilding the church edifice. He is genial and agreeable, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors.
- HERSHEY, MARTIN, retired farmer, Hock- ersville, Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 27, 1830. He is a son of John and Mary (Frick) Hershey. John Hershey was born in Derry township in 1800, and was a son of Isaac Hershey, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., of German descent. He was an extensive farmer and stock raiser. He married Mary Frick, born in Rapho township, Lancaster county, in 1800. They had ten children : Annie, wife of Isaac Kulp, farmer; Martin; Mary, who died young; Elizabeth, deceased;
Fannie, unmarried ; Priscilla, wife of Jacob Kulp; Lydia, unmarried; Leah, deceased ; Maria, wife of Jacob Wenger ; Menno, farmer of Derry township. Mr. Hershey died in 1851, and his wife in 1853. He was a member of the Mennonite church, and for several years a minister. He gave land and otherwise aided liberally toward the building of a church. He was an exemplary citizens, and a worthy and respected man.
Martin Hershey attended the common schools of the township. He remained on the home farm during his father's lifetime, and after his death continued to cultivate it for nine years, or until the youngest child became of age. Upon the partition of his father's estate, one hundred and sixty acres of land was allotted to him. This tract he retained for his home, and improved by the erection of a fine brick dwelling at a cost of six thousand dollars and a barn which cost three thousand dollars. He thus provided for himself one of the best farm houses in the region. He has a lime kiln upon his farm, and is also interested in stock raising.
He was married, in January, 1861, in Franklin county, Pa., to Mary A. Shartle, born in that county, daughter of Ann Maria (Huffer) Shartle. They have had three children : one who died in infancy ; Amos S., born July 11, 1867, received preliminary education in the common schools and the schools at Millersville, Pa., graduated from the Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., attended Bucknell College, Lewisburg, Pa .. graduated with honors from Harvard University, grad- uated from Heidleburg, Germany, and studied at Paris, France, and is now a profes- sor in the State University of Indiana; mar- ried Lillian Wilcox, a prima donna, born in Schuylkill county, Pa .; Ida, third child of Martin Hershey, was born December 28, 1869, and is the wife of Clinton M. Hershey of Harrisburg, Pa., son of Christian Hershey of Derry township. Mr. Hershey is a Men- nonite, and holds the office of deacon. He is a substantial citizen and a man of strong character. He is actively interested in all that promises good to his fellow-men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.