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 17
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
GINGRICH, CYRUS, was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., May 25, 1830. He is a son of John and Annie (Moyer) Gingrich, the former born in Leba- tion county, Pa., March 12, 1781, the latter, in Lebanon county, August 2, 1787. Cyrus Gingrich attended the common schools of
Jacob Shope
685
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
the township. He lived with his father, and cultivated the homestead farm for him. After his father's death, he took entire charge of the farm, which consisted of more than three hundred acres ; his management was skillful and profitable. He was one of the largest land owners in the township. He constructed several dwellings and barns, and expended many thousands of dollars in improvements. He paid especial attention to the breeding of fine cattle and horses, and raised some of the finest stock to be found in that region. He also had lime kilns on the farm.
He was married, November 13, 1856, in Derry township, to Melinda, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Cinn) Bechman. She was the sixth of their ten children, and was born in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, Pa., December 14, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Gingrich had these children : Christian B., farmer, born in 1857, married Alice Hocker, and hassix children; John M., born 1859, mar- ried Clara Horner, resides in Hummelstown ; Edwin G., born in 1861, in Derry township; Annie, born in November, 1863, died Octo- ber, 1878; Fannie B., born July, 1865, died in January, 1877; Cyrus B., born in October, 1867, died in December, 1868 ; Jeremiah, born in 1872, school teacher, at home; Sarah M., born in 1870, wife of Harvey Bomberger, farmer, Palmyra, Pa .; Ammon B., born in 1874, Farmers' Bank, Hummelstown ; a son, not named, born in March, 1876, died in infancy ; Elmer B., born in May, 1878, died in February, 1882; Mary A., born in April, 1883, died in November, 1887. Mr. Ging- rich was a Republican, a school director for one term, and a member of the Reformed church. In 1888 he retired from active business, and with his worthy wife enjoyed for a number of years the fruits of their well-ordered, industrious and successful life. He was respected and beloved. He died, February 10, 1895, leaving his widow well provided for as to property, and she is af- fectionately cared for by her children. His children honor his memory, and cherish the rich heritage of the good name which he be- queathed to them.
Edwin G. Gingrich, his son, like his worthy father, attended the district schools and worked upon the same farm. He re- mained upon the homestead, and has made it his life work to cultivate it. He inherits the characteristics and the business methods of his father, and is meeting with success as a
farmer. He was married, in Derry town- ship, to Ellen Risser, who was born in Leba- non county. They have one child, Cyrus. Mr. Gingrich is a Republican, and is popu- lar and highly respected.
-- FLOWERS, GEORGE L., farmer and cabinet maker, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county, Pa., November 13, 1826. He is a son of Christian and Susan (Lindersmith) Flowers. Christian Flowers was born in Lancaster county, Pa. He was a weaver, and was the son of a native of Eng- land, who settled in Pennsylvania. His wife, Susan Lindersmith, was a daughter of George Lindersmith, a native of Switzerland, who for seven years and eight months fought under the banner of George Washington. They had seven children: George L .; Eli, carpenter, Lancaster county, Pa .; Rosanna, widow of Abraham Meashly, of Lancaster county ; Susan, wife of C. Arndt, carpenter, Lancaster county ; Barbara, wife of Jacob Brown, of Lancaster; and two children who died young. Mr. C. Flowers was a Republi- can, and a member of the United Brethren church.
George L. Flowers attended the schools of his native township. At the age of sixteen he began to learn carpentry, and made this his occupation for twenty-one years. For nine years he worked at cabinet making also, and was an undertaker, making coffins and caskets as ordered. Then, removing to Dauphin county, he changed his occupation to farming. He rented and cultivated farms in several parts of the county, taking them on shares. He was very successful as a farmer and accumulated money. Removing to Annville, Lebanon county, he bought a farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, for which he paid $8,000 in cash, the accumula- tion of his years of hard toil. IIe made numerous substantial improvements on the farm, and cultivated it for seven years. He then sold it for $10,000 and spent one year with his son.
In 1883 he returned to Dauphin county and bought forty acres of land with improve- ments, paying for it $7,550. He remodeled the dwelling, which was a hundred years old, built a workshop and made other improve- ments. He works in the shop in the winter and tills the land in summer. He finds a a good market in the surrounding country for the furniture he makes.
Ile was married, in September, 1847, in
45
686
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Lancaster county, to Catherine Werner, born in Rapho township, Lancaster county, Pa., October 10, 1827. They had eleven chil- dren : Ann, wife of Jacob Smith ; Abraham, farmer, Dauphin county; Aaron, farmer ; Susan, wife of Edward Gailbaugh ; Emma, wife of D. Seabold, of Lebanon county ; Levi, farms the homestead; Frank, thresher and farmer; Mary, wife of George Boyer, and three children who died young. Mr. Flow- ers belongs to the Mennonite persuasion. He is a friendly man and has many friends. He is worthy of the confidence and respect which his neighbors cherish for him.
-COBLE, ABRAHAM B., farmer and stock- man, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Milton Grove, Lancaster county, Pa., June 25, 1864. He is a son of John and Mary (Baker) Coble. John Coble was born in Conowago township, Dauphin county, Pa., and was a son of Christian Coble, a farmer of that county. He spent the first part of his life on the farm in Dauphin county, and afterwards re- moved to Lancaster county and engaged in farming on his own account. He was a stock broeder as well as a farmer. His wife, Mary Baker, was a native of Lancaster county. They had five children, three of whom are living : Harry, railroad engineer, married Amanda Kiper, resides in Harris- burg; Lizzie, wife of Martin Attick, stock dealer, Highspire, Pa., and Abraham B. Two children died in infancy. Mr. John Coble was a Republican in his politics. He was a Mennonite and an industrious, honest and upright man. He died in Lancaster county in 1879. His widow still lives and is cared for in her old age by her son, Abra- ham B. Coble.
The latter was educated in the public schools of his township and worked on the home farm until he was fifteen years old, at which time his father died. He then farmed for nine years with his uncle. At twenty- four years of age he went to Iowa, and for one year bought, sold and shipped stock to eastern markets. After this time he came to Dauphin county and settled in Derry township, where he bought one hundred and seventeen acres of land, which he has culti- vated and improved. He has raised fine horses for which he finds ready sale in the township. Mr. Coble was married in Eliza- bethtown, in 1888, to Laura, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Gish, the former a prominent farmer in Lancaster
county. They have four children : Walter, Minnie, Harvey and Charles. Mr. Coble is a Republican. He is a man of public spirit, always interested actively in every enter- prise for the benefit of the community. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors and is deservedly popular.
- HERSHEY, ISRAEL L., farmer and stock- man, Derry, Dauphin county, Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, where he now resides, January 5, 1845. He is a son of Isaac and Mary (Landis) Hershey. Isaac Ilershey was also born in Derry town- ship, and was a son of Isaac and Annie (Frentz) Hershey, the former an extensive farmer of Lancaster county, where he was born. Isaac Hershey, Jr., attended subscrip- tion schools. He made farming his voca- tion for life. He was one of the best and most successful farmers of the township. Mary Landis, his wife, was born January 10, 1810, and was a daughter of Abraham Lan- dis, of Lancaster county. They had seven children: Lavinia, Abram and Benjamin, deceased; Israel L .; John, deceased; Annie, wife of John Moyer, farmer, Derry township; and Leah, deceased. Mr. Isaac Hershey died September 1, 1879, on the homestead farm. He was a prominent citizen, and be- longed to the old Whig party. He was a Mennonite. His widow survives, and has her home with her son Israel L.
Israel L. Hershey took the regular course of instruction in the district schools. He remained on the home farm, working for his father, until 1879, when his father died. The homestead then passed into his posses- sion, and he has ever since cultivated the farm. He has made many improvements, and remodeled the dwelling. He has to some extent carried on the live stock busi- ness in connection with farming. He was married, in 1874, in Franklin county, to Mary, daughter of John Shartle, born in Franklin county, Pa., April 3, 1850. They have had four children: Elam, born Feb- ruary 7, 1875, works on the farm; John, born October 11, 1876, teacher; Isaac, born October 26, 1879; and Abner, born October 13, 1884.
. John Shartle, father of Mrs. I. L. Hershey, was a prominent farmer and stockman of Franklin county. He married Mary Miller, of Franklin county. Their children were five in number : Mary, wife of I. L. Hershey ; Samuel, farmer, Franklin county, Pa .; Emma,
687
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
died young; Jacob, doctor, Millersville, Pa .; and John, doctor, Philadelphia, Pa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shartle died in Franklin county.
Mr. Hershey is a Republican. He is one of the substantial and reliable men of the community. He prosecutes his business undertakings with industry and enterprise. He is a man of genial manner, and is very popular.
REED, WILLIAM H., furniture manufac- turer and undertaker, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Annville, Lebanon county, Pa., July 13, 1861. His father, Isaac Reed, was born in Lebanon county, where he still re- sides. He is foreman in the Lebanon stone quarries. He married Polly Auchen- bunch, also a native of Lebanon county. They had six children : John, farmer, in Ohio; Sarah, wife of William Karmany, furniture manufacturer, Hummelstown, Pa .; William H .; Charles, residing in Hummels- town ; Grant, and Samuel, died young. The father and mother both reside in Annville. They attend the United Brethren church. Mr. Reed is a Republican. He is well and favorably known throughout the town and county where he resides.
William H. Reed attended the common schools of Annville, and was also graduated from the school at Campbellstown, Pa. He learned carpentry at Harrisburg, where he spent ten years, and worked at that trade in Annville. In 1881 he came to Hummels- town and worked with his brother-in-law, William Karmany, at furniture making, for fourteen years. In the spring of 1895 he erected a factory of his own and embarked in the furniture business. He has a fine show room on Main street. He meets with success, obtaining a fair share of the town and township trade. Mr. Reed was mar- ried, December 22, 1884, at Hummelstown, to Mary Kelchner, born in Palmyra, Leb- anon county, Pa., in 1863. They have four children : Florence, attending school ; Harry, Morgan and Stuart. Mr. Reed is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the United Brethren church. In business he is indus- trious, enterprising and progressive. He is genial and friendly and is much liked.
-STRICKLER, ADAM, farmer, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, Pa., June 26, 1832. Ile is a son of Ulrich and Molly (IIamaker) Strickler.
Ulrich Strickler was born in ;Londonderry township, Dauphin county, in 1807, and was a son of Ulrich Strickler, who married Miss Funk; the former of Dauphin county and of German descent. The younger Ulrich Strickler, father of Adam, attended the sub- scription schools of the township and was a farmer and stock raiser. His wife, Molly Hamaker, was born in Derry township, Dauphin county, in 1808. Their children are: Jacob, deceased; Adam; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Felix Landis ; Ulrich, de- ceased ; David, farmer, of Steelton ; Mary, wife of John B. Hoverter, of Harrisburg; and Martin, deceased. Mr. Strickler retired from active business, and resided in Hummels- town, where he died in 1881. His wife died in 1875. He was a Republican, and a member of the United Zion's Children church. He had a wide acquaintance, and was highly respected.
Adam Strickler attended the common schools and the subscription schools of Derry township. He worked on the farm in the summer, and attended school in the winter months. After leaving school, he continued to work on the homestead farm, and for two winters taught school. When he was twenty-one he went to Londonderry town- ship, Lebanon county, and became a partner with his brother-in-law, Felix Landis, in the business of distilling; in this he continued two years with fair success. He next en- gaged in the flour and grain business. The company then built and equipped a mill at a cost of $20,000. He had operated the mill for eleven months when it was destroyed by fire. The property was only partially in- sured. Their loss on mill, machinery and stock was about $20,000. He then removed to West Hanover township, Dauphin county, bought a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres and cultivated it for two years. He then sold this farm, and returned to Lon- donderry township, Lebanon county ; there he cultivated a farm of one hundred and forty acres, owned by his father-in-law, M. A. Brightbill, for one year, after which he removed to South Annville township, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land which he cultivated for three years. After this he came to Dauphin county, lo- cating at Swatara Station, and entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, John HI. Balsbaugh, a sketch of whom appears in another place in this volume. They dealt for three years in grain, coal and stock,
£
688
BIOGRAPHIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
during which time Mr. Strickler went to Ohio in the interest of the firm, buying live stock and shipping to castern markets. The business proved very profitable. He sold his interest in the business, and bought ninety acres of land nearby, which he im- proved and made his home there for fourteen years. In 1883 he bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty acres, on which he has expended $2,000 in improvements, and which is now his residence.
Ile was married, September 3, 1857, in Harrisburg, to Sarah Brightbill, who was born in Lebanon county, December 24, 1836. She was one of fifteen children of Abraham and Mary (Landis) Brightbill; her father was a prominent farmer of Leb- anon county. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have had eight children : Emma R., wife of James G. Fox, son of Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hum- melstown, and has eight children : George, Robert, Walter, Charles, Edward, Webster, Virginia, and Elizabeth, deceased; Agnes B., born March 5, 1864, wife of A. G. Long- enecker, farmer, of Conewago township, Dauphin county, has one child, Benjamin Warren; Harry B., born April 18, 1866, mechanic, married Regina Heinley, has one child, Morris; Sadie B., born January 30, 1871, wife of E. B. Mumma, farmer, three children : Milton Ray, and two that died young ; Bertha B., born April 7, 1875, un- married and residing at home ; Annie M., born April 12, 1860, died May 10, 1860; Franklin, born January 30, 1863, died Feb- ruary 13, 1863; Morris, born February 17, 1868, died April 3, 1872. Mr. Strickler is a Republican. He filled the office of school director for eighteen years. He was mer-
cantile appraiser for one year. He has for six years filled the office of auditor, which he still holds. He and his family are mem- bers of the United Brethren church. Hlav- ing been industrious, frugal and successful throughout life he and his worthy wife may now retire from active participation in the labors of life, and comfortably enjoy the fruits of their work. They have the respect and esteem and the good wishes of all their neighbors.
GERLACK, JOHN M., carriage, buggy and wagon manufacturer, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, August 17, 1864. Ile is a son of John S. and Cathe- rine (Witmer) Gerlack. John S. Gerlack was born at Turkey Hill, Md., and was a .
prominent farmer of that region. He was subsequently engaged in farming in Lancas- ter, Lebanon and York counties, Pa. His wife, Catherine Witmer, was born in Lan- caster county. They had six children : Liz- zie, wife of H. Butterfield, of Mt. Joy, Pa .; Barbara, wife of John Walters, manufacturer; John M .; Sarah, deceased ; and two children who died in infancy. Mr. J. S. Gerlack was a Republican. He was a member of the German Baptist church. He had a wide circle of friends and was respected by the community. He died at Campbellstown in 1891. His wife died in Lancaster in 1888.
John M. Gerlack attended the schools of Lebanon and York counties. For three years he worked as a farm laborer, receiving as wages twenty dollars per month. The next year he worked on the Coleman rail- road. The following two years he spent in learning wagon making, and the next two he passed in Lancaster county, employed in carpenter's work. He then removed to Leb- anon, Pa., and was engaged as a car builder in the car shops. In 1889 he came to Dau- phin county and opened a factory and re- pair shop. At the end of four years he found that his business had outgrown his shop. In order to meet the demands of his increased and still increasing trade, he built a large factory in the village and fitted it up with engine, boiler, and improved machinery. He keeps upwards of six men employed in the general business of manufacturing car- riages, buggies and wagons and in repair- ing. He also built a fine dwelling. His outlay for the improvement was more than $4,000. He is meeting with gratifying suc- cess in his business. In 1884 he was married, in Lancaster county, to Lydia Ober, born in White Oak, Lancaster county, Pa .; they had one child, David, attending school. His wife died in 1886. He was married again, in 1887, to Mary H. Wolf, born in Bucks county. There are no children to this marriage. Mr. Gerlack is a Republican. He is a member of the River Brethren church, which he at- tends at Hummelstown. In his business he is diligent, enterprising, trustworthy and suc- cessful, and in social circles he is esteemed and popular.
EBY, MICHAEL, retired farmer, of Derry township, was born in Derry township, Dau- phin county, Pa., on the farm where he now resides, January 12, 1831. His grandfather, Michael Eby, was a native of Switzerland.
689
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Ile came to this country when a young man, located in Lancaster county, and sub- sequently removed to Derry township, where he reared his family. He cultivated and highly improved a farm of two hundred acres, and here also he died. He married Elizabeth Oberholler, born in Lancaster county, Pa.
Christian Eby, son of the elder and father of the younger Michael Eby, was born in Lancaster county. He attended the sub- scription schools of the county. He removed with his parents to Dauphin county, and grew up there on his father's farm. He made farming and stock raising his life oc- cupation. He married Elizabeth Witzler, born in South Hanover township, Dauphin county. They had nine children: John, farmer; Michael ; Christian, deceased; Eliza- beth, wife of William Light, farmer, Han- over township; Catherine, wife of Henry Linawav, of Campbellstown; Amos, deceased; Jonas, justice of the peace at Campbellstown, and two children who died young. Mr. Eby died in Derry township in 1865. His wife also died in Derry township in 1892. His politics were Republican. He was a Men- nonite. He was well known, had many warm friends, and was universally re- spected.
Michael Eby had the ordinary advantages of the neighborhood schools. He remained upon the farm with his father, and made farming his business for life. He bought the homestead of two hundred and nine acres, and made improvements of great ex- tent, costing $5,000. He built one of the finest and most convenient farm dwellings in the township. Stock raising was an im- portant branch of his business. In 1888 he was able to retire from active business, and enjoy the fruits of his days of hard but suc- cessful work.
He was married, in 1855, in Harrisburg, to Caroline Detweiler, born in South Ann- ville, Lebanon county, March 17, 1834, one of the nine children of Michael and Barbara (Thomas) Detweiler. Thechildren of Michael and Caroline Eby are: Charles P., born in 1857, married Mary Brandt, born in Leba- non county, and has two children, Nola and Clyde; Anson H., born in 1858, married Mary Bomberger; John, married Elizabeth Bowman, resides in Lebanon ; Michael, in the creamery business in Londonderry town- ship, Lebanon county, married Emma Bow- man; and Franklin, died young.
Mr. Eby is a Republican. He held the office of supervisor of roads for one year, and of tax collector for one year. He has been a traveler, and has visited many parts of the Western States. He is enterprising and industrious in business, and has been successful. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors.
HUMMEL, ELWOOD F., postmaster, Hum- melstown, Pa., was born in Hummels- town, January 15, 1865. The Hummel fam- ily is one of the old and prominent fam- ilies of Eastern Pennsylvania. The great- grandfather of Mr. E. F. Hummel took part in the Revolutionary war in 1775. Each succeeding generation has had representa- tives ready for the public service in what- ever form the demand might come.
Jacob Hummel, Mr. E. F. Hummel's grandfather, was one of the family which established Hummelstown. He was a farmer, a man of character and substance, and an embodiment of the virtues which made the pioneers so illustrious. His son, John H. Hummel, father of Elwood F., was born in Hummelstown July 14, 1817. He was edu- cated in the subscription schools of Harris- burgand public schools of the town, and in his younger days worked on the farm. He made farming his vocation for life. He married Elizabeth Fox, born in Hummelstown in 1831, daughter of James Fox, an uncle of Dr. Thomas G. Fox, of Hummelstown. They had eight children : Frank P., born in Hum- melstown November 12, 1854, train dis- patcher on the Union Pacific railroad, Salt Lake City, married and has a family ; Kate, died at the age of eighteen ; Paul and Elma, died in infancy ; Elwood F .; Maggie, wife of P. W. Hocuck ; Peter, train dispatcher of the Reading railroad, living in Philadel- phia ; David, druggist. John II. Hummel was a Democrat. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He died in Hummels- town, August 23, 1894. His long, busy and successful life was spent in Hummelstown. For three-quarters of a century he was known in that community as an honest, up- right and intelligent man. His reputation is without spot, and his children have re- ceived from him the precious heritage of a good name. His widow is still living and resides in Hummelstown.
Elwood F. Hummel took the regular course of instruction in the schools of Hum- melstown, including the high school. He
690
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
spent three years as apprentice and journey- man at the blacksmith's forge. He then studied for one term at the West Chester Normal School, after which he returned to Hummelstown and worked for nine years as carriage blacksmith in the factory of Walmer & Fox. He left the factory to assume the position of postmaster of Hummelstown, to which he was appointed under the Cleveland administration in February, 1895. He per- forms the duties of the office with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the public. Mr. Hummel is a Democrat and an active participant in all party movements. He was elected to the borough council for three years, during which time many important improvements were made, among these the introduction of electric lights. He was the youngest man ever elected to fill the office of councilman. He was recording secretary of the Sunday-school two years, and also finan- cial secretary for two years. He is one of the most popular men in the town, and is universally regarded as an upright, genial gentleman. He is unmarrried.
-ERB, WILL C., general merchant, hotel proprietor and postmaster, Hockersville, Pa., was born in Bainbridge, Lancaster county, Pa., January 11, 1847. He is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Bowman) Erb. Sam- uel Erb was a son of Isaac Erb, a prominent farmer, and was born in Lancaster county. He was a merchant and lumber dealer. His wife, Eliza Bowman, was a native of Cornwall, Lebanon county. They had these children : Edwin B., deceased ; Will C .; Clara E., unmarried; George A., deceased; Sybilla A., wife of A. S. Craumer, merchant, of Lebanon; Ammon H. and M. Jennie, de- ceased ; Samuel, merchant in Lebanon, Pa. Samuel Erb, Sr., was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church. He died in Lebanon in 1895, and was one who acted upon principle, and had the reputation of be- ing an honest man. His wife is still living in Lebanon, having attained a ripe old age
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.