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 19

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901. cn; Dudley, Adolphus S. 4n; Huber, Harry I. 4n; Schively, Rebecca H. 4n; J.M. Runk & Company. 4n
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. : J.M. Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180


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 19


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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


chant, at Mechanicsburg, Pa. Their children are : Edgar C., Hummelstown, deputy sheriff of the county ; C. Carroll, M. D., physician, has been practicing at Mechanicsburg for nineteen years, a graduate of Jefferson Medi- cal College; Salome, Mrs. Percy B. Metz- ger, office of the Union Trust Company, of Philadelphia, attorney-at-law. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Hummel was called out with the emergency troops. In political matters he is interested and active in the Republican party. He has served as mem- ber of the borough council, and was chair- man of that body many years, and also has served as member of the school board and auditor of the township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office of trustee, steward and class leader, and is also the teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday-school. Mr. Hum- mel helped to organize the first Sunday- school in the town.


-HOFFER, CHRISTIAN, retired, Hummels- town, Pa., was born in South Annville town- ship, Lebanon county, Pa., January 13, 1824; son of George and Annie (Gingrich) Hoffer, natives of Lebanon county. Christian was reared in Lebanon county and received his education in the schools of that period. After reaching maturity he was engaged in farm work and driving team for eight years. In 1848 he was married to Miss S. A. Motter, daughter of Philip Motter, of Lebanon county. He was then engaged in keeping hotel at Annville for two and a half years, and in 1852 came to Hummelstown, where he conducted the old Zearfoss stand for one year, after which he removed to Palmyra and kept the hotel there for six years. From Palmyra he removed to Reading and became the proprietor of the Union Hotel, where he remained one year, after which he was at Palmyra again for eight years, and then came to Hummelstown, where he conducted the National Hotel until 1878. Since the last named date he has been retired from ac- tive business. Mr. IToffer was one of the organizers and the first president of the Farmers' Bank. In 1868 he and M. K. Burk- holder established the flour and feed and coal business. which they continued two years, and also the implement business, which they conducted for several years. In his political views Mr. Hoffer is a Democrat, and served as postmaster at Palmyra under President Buchanan. He was a member of


the first council of Hummelstown. Mr. Hoffer was also one of the organizers of the Hummelstown Building and Loan Associa- tion, and served as its treasurer for many years. His fraternity association is with Lodge No. 335, I. O. O. F. His children are: Edwin M., Hummelstown ; Emma F., de- ceased, married Earnest M. Shope, of Hum- melstown ; Lizzie A., wife of H. G. Walmer, of Hummelstown; Sabina M., wife of F. D. Blessing, of Hummelstown ; Ida A., wife of David Castle, Hummelstown; Agnes C., de- ceased; George, Ilummelstown ; and Calvin, died in infancy. Mr. Hoffer is a member of the Lutheran church.


-HOLLER, CITARLES K., coal, grain, wood and lime dealer, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in York county, October 21, 1843 ; son of Francis and Annie (Kook) Holler, na- tives York county. The father was a farmer by occupation and spent his life in his native county. Charles K. was reared in York county and was educated in the public schools. In 1879 he came to Dauphin county and located at Hummelstown, where he had charge of the coal business of Chris- tian Garver from 1879 to 1886, when he pur- chased the business, and has conducted it in his own interest since that date. In politics Mr. Holler is a Republican and is now serv- ing his sixth year as a member of the school board of the borough, of which he was for- merly the treasurer. He holds membership in Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F., of Harrisburg, and in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. of Hummelstown. Mr. Holler was married, in 1865, to Miss Rebecca Mathias, daughter of Henry Mathias, of York county. Their children are: Sarah Jane; Henry F., of Hummelstown, deputy prothonotary of Dauphin county, married Miss Alfaretta, daughter of Abner Fox, of Illinois; Charles Irvin, William Harvey, and LeRoy C. Mr. Holler is a member of the United Brethren church, and has held the office of treasurer of the Sunday-school from 1882 to the present time.


- MURRAY, JOHN, merchant, Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., December 11, 1842; son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Baum) Murray. The father worked on the farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he married a daughter of Daniel Baum, and engaged in hotel keeping. He also car- ried on a butchering business and attended


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DAUPHIN COUNTY.


the Harrisburg markets. Later he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he died in 1851, having at different periods had charge of the " Golden Sheaf," "American House," and " Black Bear " hotels. After hisdeath his wife continued the hotel for some time, and sub- sequently removed to Allegheny City, and from there to Manchester, and finally died at Allegheny City in 1855. They had five children, three of whom are now living: John; Daniel, of Youngstown, Ohio, coach trimmer; Mary Agnes, wife of George Sny- der, of Youngstown, Ohio.


John came to Hummelstown in 1855 and lived with his grandfather Baum until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Lebanon to learn the harness maker's trade with his uncle. In 1861 he enlisted in com- pany A, Ninety-third regiment, Pennsylva- nia volunteers, as a private, and was with the Army of the Potomac in the Peninsular campaign, participating in all the battles. He was wounded at Richmond, and as a re- sult was disabled and discharged from the service in 1863, after which he returned to Lebanon, Pa., and resumed work at his trade. In 1864 he came to Hummelstown and opened a harness shop, which he con- ducted a short time. He then removed to Derry township, where for four years he was engaged in farming. In 1871 he returned to Hummelstown and opened a store, which he has since conducted. He is also a stock- holder in the Farmers' Bank. Mr. Murray is a member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the James Henderson Post, No. 443, G: A. R., of which he is also the commander, and was one of the organizers in 1891. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as burgess and as member of the borough council. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Elizabeth H., daughter of George Balsbaugh, of Derry township. Their children are: Charles B., at home; Catherine B., wife of S. C. Stecker, of Hummelstown; and Edith M. Mr. Mur- ray is a member of the Lutheran church, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren church.


-- RUTHERFORD, ABNER, son of William and Sarah (Swan) Rutherford, was born March 31, 1814, on the Rutherford homestead, in Swatara township, Dauphin county, Pa. Ile is in the fourth generation from Thomas Rutherford, the progenitor of the family in Pennsylvania. He received the education afforded by the select schools of Paxtang


Valley, and most of his life he has passed in farming. For several years he has been president of the First National Bank of Hummelstown, and has been identified with other corporations, and active in various local enterprises of the day. In 1865 he was a captain of the Tenth company, Ninety- eighth regiment, Pennsylvania militia. For many years he has been one of the vice- presidents of the Pennsylvania State Agri- cultural Society, in the founding of which he took a prominent part. His energy and ability, combined with his business habits, have produced that success which generally follows. Mr. Rutherford married, February 28, 1839, Ann, youngest daughter of Will- iam Espy, of Swatara, and their children are: William Franklin, Sarah Ann, Susan Elizabeth, and Ada Byron, who married Spencer F. Barber, of Williamsburg, Pa.


SHULL, DR. WILLIAM M., Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Springfield township, Perry county, Pa., August 14, 1859; youngest son of Samuel and Almira (Albert) Shull, na- tives of Perry county. He was reared on the farm and was educated in the public school. For five years he was engaged in teaching, and a part of this time he gave instruction in the Bloomfield Academy. After a course of preparatory reading he at- tended the lectures at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, at Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution in 1885. He was en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Con- cord, Franklin county, for five years, for one year of which he was medical examiner for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1890 he came to Hummelstown. Dr. Shull holds membership in the Prince Edwin Lodge, F. & A. M., at Middletown, and in the Derry Council of American Mechanics. In politics he is interested and active as a member of the Republican party. The Doctor was married, in 18SS, to Miss Sadie, daughter of Joseph O. Ross, of Mitilin county, and to this marriage there is no issue. Formerly he was a Presbyterian, but is now a member of the German Reformed church.


SCHAEFFER, DR. URIAH R., Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Jan- uary 24, 1859: son of Adam and Fannie (Royer) Schaeffer, natives of Dauphin county. The father was a prominent dealer in coal, grain and lumber in Lebanon county, but is


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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


now retired from active business. Uriah R. was the second in order of birth of four children, and was reared in Lebanon county. He received his education at Meyerstown and Millersville. His private preceptor in the study of medicine was Dr. John D. Zimmer- man, of Lebanon, and he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- delphia, in 1879. In the following year he began the practice of his profession at Far- mersville, Lancaster county, where he con- tinued until 1886, when he removed to Hummelstown, where he became prominent in his profession and enjoys a large practice. During the past five years he has been the physician for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Formerly he was a member of the Lancaster County Medical Society, and at present holds membership in the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Patriotic Order Sons of America and Knights of Pythias. In political views he is a Republican and is active in party interests. Dr. Schaeffer was married, in 1879, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Reuben Royer, of Ephrata, Lancaster county, and they have three children living : Ralph Chester, Gertrude May and Roy Herbert. Mrs. Schaeffer is a member of the German Baptist church, of Hummelstown.


BURKHOLDER, JOSIAH, dealer in coal, grain, salt, seeds, fertilizers, etc., Hummelstown, Pa., was born in Lebanon county, Pa., De- cember 4, 1856; son of M. K. and Barbara Ann (Reish) Burkholder. Hc was reared in Lebanon county and educated in the. pub- lie schools and in the Millersville State Nor- mal School. He entered the business of his father and assisted him until 1892. in Sep- tember of which year his father retired from the business, to which he succeeded, and has since conducted it in his own interest. In his political views he is a Republican, and has served as a member of the borough council, and as president of the body for five years. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Hummelstown. He was married, in 1876, to Emma L., daughter of David Bender, of Hummelstown, and to their marriage there is no issue. Mr. Burk- holder is not connected with any church.


- LAROSS, PROF. DAVID HENRY EARNEST, son of Rev. Joseph and Elizabeth (Earnest) LaRoss, was born January 9, 1827, at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa. ITis father died when his son was an infant, and


his mother, an exemplary woman, when he was eleven years of age. Thus early left an orphan, he was thrown upon his own re- sources for a livelihood. After varied em- ployments he returned to Hummelstown with his maternal uncle, and shortly after apprenticed himself to the trade of cabinet maker. After serving his time he began clerking af Harrisburg, where he remained several years, at the same time closely apply- ing himself to study. He subsequently en- tered Lafayette College, Easton, where he remained two years, his limited means not permitting him to remain for graduation. He then began teaching as a profession. In 1860 he was first selected county superin- tendent. He was re-elected in 1875 and in 1878, and again in 1881, when his vote was almost unanimous. Professor LaRoss died, at Hummelstown, October 22, 1882, in his fifty-sixth year. 'He married, first, in 1853, Sarah A. Coil, of Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., who died in January, 1867. Their children were: Joseph ; John ; Mary ; Gertrude, who married Eli Kline, of Allen- town; Carroll, Robert, Sarah, and Eva. He married, second, Annie W. Breneman, of Elizabethtown, Pa., who died two years after- wards. In 1872 he was married a third time, to Fannie Hummel, of Hummelstown, and their children were: Fannie, Claude, and Edna.


EAST HANOVER TOWNSHIP.


- ETTER, DAVID K., farmer, was born in East Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., November 19, 1865. He is a son of David and Sallie (Koons) Etter, both natives of East Hanover township. David Etter, Sr., has made farming his business for many years. Earlier in life he was a spangler, and for some years worked at that trade. He now lives retired from active work. His politics are Republican. He is a member of the Dunkard church. Mr. Etter married Miss Sallie Koons. They have these chil- dren : Lizzie, wife of George Baum ; Kate K., wife of Amos Gingerich ; John, died in 1876; Joseph; David K .; Samuel ; and Leah, wife of Isaac Basehore.


David K. Etter had the usual opportuni- ties enjoyed in the common schools by the farmer boy who can be spared from busy toil only for a short time during the winter


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DAUPHIN COUNTY.


months. After receiving this limited intel- lectual training he remained with his father working on the farm until he was twenty- three years old. In 1889 he engaged in farming for himself on the place where he now resides. Mr. Etter was married, May 12,1888, to Miss Fannie N., daughter of Jacob and Sarah Gingrich. They have one son, named Harry. Mr. Etter is one of the solid and reliable men of the community. He is a Republican. He is also a faithful mem- ber of the Dunkard church. -


- BASEHORE, BENJAMIN, farmer, was born in Paxion township, Dauphin county, Pa., August 14, 1832 ; son of the late George and Polly (Etter) Basehore. His grandfather, Rev. George Basehore, was born in Berks county, Pa .; he was a weaver, and for many years carried on that business. He subse- quently engaged in farming and was so em- ployed up to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1840, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was a man of intelli- gence and integrity and genuinely pious. For some years before his death he was a minister in the German Baptist church, a godly and useful man. He married Miss Mary Fackler, who was born in Paxton township, Dauphin county; she died in March, 1841, aged sixty-five. They had nine children : Michael, George, Catherine, wife of Daniel Miller; John; Abraham; Mary, wife of Jacob Hart ; Benjamin, Daniel and Wendel.


George Basehore, father of Benjamin, was born in Berks county, Pa. He was a shoe- maker and worked at that trade for twenty- five years. The remainder of his life was spent in farming. He died in Paxton town- ship in 1890, aged eighty-seven years. His wife, Miss Polly Etter, was born in York county, Pa .; daughter of Rev. Lawrence Etter; she died in Paxton township in 1877, aged sixty-five. They had eleven children, of whom seven are living: Mary, wife of Elias Moore, deceased ; Levi Peffly ; Eliza- beth, wife of William Aungst; Benjamin ; Leah; Rachel, wife of Levi Miller; and Susan.


Benjamin Basehore enjoyed slender educa- tional advantages ; he attended the public schools of West Hanover township and was a diligent student. After receiving his school education he worked for his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age and made farming his life work. Hc


cultivated his father's farm in Lower Paxton township for nine years. In 1871 he re- moved to East Hanover township, to his farm, where he remained two years. Thence he removed to Jackson township, Dauphin county, and farmed for three years. His last removal was to the farm in East Hanover township, which he has ever since occupied and tilled.


Mr. Basehore was married, May 31, 1862, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of John and Re- becca (Heffling) Weber. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Mary, wife of Uriah Hook ; Lizzie, wife of Charles Marberger, and Sallie.


In 1888 their family was sorely afflicted by the death of four of their precious chil- dren within a few days. They were cut down by that dreadful disease, scarlet fever. Although bowed down beneath the weight of this four-fold bereavement, the sorrowful family were submissive to the will of the Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well. The children who died with scarlet fever were : John W., died February 26, 188S, aged twenty-four years; George W., died Febru- ary 25, 1888, aged eighteen years; Rebecca, died February 16, 1888, aged fourteen years, and Daniel W., died March 7, 18SS, at the age of eight years. In their great sorrow Mr. and Mrs. Basehore had the sympathy of all their neighbors. They are regarded as most excellent people.


- BACASTOW, FRANKLIN P., farmer, was born in Highspire, Dauphin county, Pa., May 31, 1856; son of the late John and Mary (Bren- ner) Bacastow. His great-grandfather was born in Germany, and came to this country in early boyhood. George Bacastow, grand- father of Franklin P., was born in Berks county, Pa. He was a tanner, and was en- gaged in this business at the time of his death, which occurred in Dauphin county. Mr. Bacastow was married to Miss Elizabeth Hoover, born in Dauphin county, Pa. She died in the same county. They had three children: George, John, and Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Reichert.


John Bacastow, father of Franklin P., was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin county, Pa., January 8, 1814. His occupation was farming. He also assisted his father in the management of his tannery. Mr. Bacastow was married. in 1852, to Miss Mary M .. daughter of Peter Brenner. They had seven children : Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Kline ;


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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


Rebecca, wife of Daniel Leise ; Franklin P., George T., Morris, Emma F., and Simon P. The father died January 4, 1879, aged sixty- four; the mother still survives. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Bacastow's politics were Democratic.


Franklin P. Bacastow is a self-made man. He received a short course in the public schools, but had to depend for his prepara- tion for the work of life principally upon his own efforts. In his youth he was en- gaged in farming, working for his father until he became of age. In 1879 Mr. Baca- stow began farming on his own account, cul- tivating the farm of his father. Since 1883 he has been engaged on the farm which he now occupies. In 1882 he was elected super- visor of East Hanover township, and served in this office for one year. During this year his farm was cultivated by his brother, Mor- ris Bacastow. Mr. Bacastow was married, November 15, 1883, to Miss Mary A., daugh- ter of John J. and Rebecca (Zimmerman) Urich. Five of their six children are living: Tra J., Clinton G., Mary M., Simon P., and Erwin M. Mr. Bacastow is a Democrat. He is a member of the Reformed church.


-John J. Urich, father of Mrs. Bacastow, was born in Lebanon county. He was a miller, and was for many years engaged in that business. In later life he undertook farming. His wife, Rebecca (Zimmerman) Urich, was the daughter of Michael and Margaret (Early) Zimmerman. Mr. and Mrs. Urich had : Mary A., wife of Mr. F. P. Baca- stow.


Mr. Urich died in September, 1892. His wife is still living at the age of fifty-two, and resides in Lebanon county.


-EARLY, ISRAEL, miller, was born in East Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 8, 1825; son of the late George and Catherine (Brightenstine) Early. His great-grandfather, William Early, was born in Firebaugh, Germany. He was a carpen- ter; he came to this country in 1725, and practiced his trade throughout life. His wife, Mr. Early's great-grandmother, was a native of Pennsylvania. Both died near Palmyra, Lebanon county, at a very great age.


Christian Early, Israel Early's grand- father, was born in Lancaster county, now Lebanon county, Pa. He built the flour mill where his grandson, Israel Early, now lives. He also built the large mill at Man-


ada Gap, now owned by Jacob Early. Chris- tian Early was married to Miss Elizabeth Killinger. They had twelve children : John, William, George, Christian, Jacob, Cathe- rine, Richgina. Elizabeth, Susan, Margaret, born April, 1803, died aged eighty-eight years; one child died at the age of six months, and one died the day of birth.


George Early, father of Israel, was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, March 15, 1787. He spent his business life in the work of milling. He was twice mar- ried; first to Polly Gosert, by whom he had one daughter, named Polly. In his second marriage, in 1816, he was united to Cathe- rine Brightenstine, born in Manheim, Lan- caster county, daughter of Nicholas Bright- enstein. They had nine children, three of whom are living: Sarah, wife of Jacob Wolf, deceased; Israel, and Rosanna, wife of Henry H. Miller. George Early died in 1848, aged sixty-one years ; his wife died in 1853, aged fifty-five. Both died at the old homestead, with their son Israel. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran church.


Israel Early had only the limited educa- tion to be obtained in the schools of his time. In 1836 the free schools were established, and he reaped much benefit from his attendance upon them. He was alert and ambitious, and by his own efforts prepared himself for the useful and successful life which he leads. In early life he was engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued until he was twenty-four. At that age he went to learn the trade of miller. This has ever since been his employment. He is now seventy-one years old, strong, and in good health. Ile is still in the old mill where he has served at least two generations, and where his father and grandfather worked before him. He is still able to do his own work in the mill. In 1847 he taught school for one term in East Hanover township. In 1864 he was drafted for service in the United States army, but was discharged on a surgeon's certificate, on account of the weakness of one of his eyes: In 1851 he was elected school director of East Hanover township, served for five years, and was re-elected for three years. Mr. Early was married January 15, 1865, to Miss Frances M., daughter of John and Mary (Zerker) Getz. They have three children : Mary C., John G., and William.


Mr. Early names some of the neighbors around the Early homestead when he was a boy. Along the Jonestown road, in East


John D. Newbecker


John of Reily


Jis, Fredry.


Adam Metzger


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DAUPHIN COUNTY.


Hanover township, were Alexander Mc- Knight and David, his brother; along the road westward lived Christian Shellenber- ger, who kept a hotel; next, James French; Dr. Wenderstich ; John Reed ; George Good- man ; Christian Early, uncle of Israel Early ; Philip Nitruer; Major Shell; Robert Hill; Jacob Keim; Benjamin Snodgrass. Along the Manada creek, near the West Hanover line, stood Adam Reider's mill; Rogers' mill; Samuel Todd's mill; Conrad Wagner; Jacob Stine; Berry Hill Bell ; Jacob Zimmerman ; John Snyder ; David Killinger ; Henry Zim- merman ; Abraham Meese ; Samuel McCord. Mr. Early is highly esteemed for his enter- prise and integrity. He is prosperous in business, and no citizen is more honored or more popular.


-LEESE, ELIJAH, farmer, was born in East Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 23, 1855 ; son of the late Michael and Lydia (Laurer) Leese. Michael Leese was born in Reading, Berks county, Pa., October 27, 1806. He was a farmer, and spent his life in his calling. He was married to Miss Lydia Laura, also born in Reading, Pa., January 15, 1814. They had thirteen chil- dren, of whom six are now living: Isabella; Emma, wife of Samuel Miller ; Kate, wife of Joseph Bock; Levi, Henry, and Elijah. Their residence was at Manadaville, now Sand Beach, where Mr. Leese died at the age of eighty-four. His wife is still living, at the advanced age of eighty, and resides at Sand Beach. Mr. Leese was a Republi- can, and he and Mrs. Leese were both faith- ful members of the Evangelical church at Union Deposit, where Mr. Leese is buried.


Elijah Leese improved faithfully the slender educational advantages which he enjoyed. There was hard work on the farm, summer and winter, with a few hours daily for a few weeks each year for school training. Yet diligent improvement of these oppor- tunities, and constant efforts to add to his stock of general information, prepared him as thoroughly as the average farmer boy can be prepared, for the business of life. He is entitled to all the honor that may attach to the self-made man. Mr. Leese continued to work on the farm with his father until he was twenty years of age. Ile was married, September 9, 1875, to Miss Rebecca, daughter of John and Mary (Brenner) Bacastow. They had three children, of whom two are living : John M. and Morris II. Shortly




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