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 25
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GILBERT, ISAAC, farmer and carpenter, was born on the old homestead, in Halifax township, April 29, 1849. He is a son of
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Jacob and Susan (Fetterhoff) Gilbert, natives of Lebanon and Halifax townships, respect- ively. The grandfather, Jacob Gilbert, was a native of Lebanon county, and came to Halifax in 1819. Jacob's father and two uncles were the first of the family to come to America, and they separated at Pittsburgh. Jacob died at the age of eighty-three, leav- ing these children : Samuel, Sarah, Catha- rine, John, George, and Jacob. The father was born in Lebanon county, January 24, 180S, and died in Halifax township, in 1888. He had a very fair education and came to Dauphin county in 1819 with his parents. For some years he was editor and proprietor of the Halifax Herald. His family consisted of the following children: George; John, deceased; Mary; Elizabeth ; Sarah, deceased; Catharine, deceased ; Jacob, deceased ; Sam- uel, and Isaac.
Isaac received his education in the public schools of his native place. In his youth he worked very hard, and remained with his father until his marriage, after which he farmed the old homestead eleven years. He then farmed for a period of ten years another farm of his father's. In 1889 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres in Halifax township, which he worked two years, and then began carpentering. He also owns another farm of seventy-three acres. He was married, February 27, 1870, to Miss Phoebe Frontmeyer, born in North- umberland county, March 9, 1852, and a daughter of George and Margaret (Heckerd) Frontmeyer. Their children are : John L., Mary C., Samuel J. and Mary Fetterhoff. Mr. Gilbert was brought up in the United Brethren church.
" KOPPENHEFFER, CORNELIUS, merchant, Halifax, Pa., was born August 18, 1846, in Washington township. He is a son of Dan- iel and Fanny (Bordner) Koppenheffer. Daniel W., the father, was born in Lyken's Valley in 1814, and died in the same place in 1873. His family consisted of the follow- ing children: Phoebe, Uriah, Elizabeth, Re- becca, James Monroe, Cornelius, Solomon, Benjamin Franklin, Mary, deceased, Dan- iel, and Catharine. He was a staunch Re- publican and served in various positions of honor and trust.
Cornelius received his education in the public schools of his native place. His early life was spent engaged in farm work and later he began to learn the trade of
moulding in Berrysburg. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he began busi- ness for himself. Later he went to Juniata county, and afterwards to Pittsburgh, where he worked in the foundry for five years. After working in Harrisburg and Berrys- burg for a time he came to Halifax and purchased the foundry of John Ropp. He was married, in Lykens Valley, in 1866, to Miss Anna Marwert. Their children are : Lottie, wife of Samuel Fisher, Harrisburg ; Ernest Foster, Andrew Curtin, Ivy Johanna, Lawrence, Sarah Jane, Mary Jane, Fanny, Byron, and Cornelius. In politics Mr. Kop- penheffer is a Republican and has served in town council. He is a member of the United Brethren church. .
LYTER, JOSEPH E., merchant, Halifax, was born in Halifax township, June 6, 1852. He is a son of Henry and Susan (Miller) Lyter, who reside in Halifax. The father, Henry Lyter, was born near Harrisburg. He came to Halifax township with his par- ents when a boy, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of this place. He is now eighty years old, and his wife seventy- three. Their children are: Sarah, John B., James W., Hiram, Joseph E., Mary R., Al- fred, Agnes V., Emma L., and one who died in infancy.
Joseph E. received his education in the public schools of his native place. He then assisted his father on the farm for a time, and at the age of nineteen began teaching school, which occupation he continued seven consecutive terms. He then learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until August, 1881. He then spent some years in Iowa, and in January, 1888, went to Car- lisle, where he worked in a grocery store one year. After teaching school two terms in Halifax, he became general manager of the Halifax Shoe Manufacturing Company, which position he still retains. In February, 1893, he opened his present place of busi- ness. The firm is styled J. E. Lyter & Co., Luther Ryan being the partner. He was married, February 22, 1877, to Miss Lydia A., daughter of John and Maria (Clemson) Bonker, by whom he has one child, Rosa C.
SHAEFER, MICHAEL, son of George Shaefer, was born December 1, 1803, at Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa. For some years he resided in Harrisburg, and when quite a young man he married Susan Cloud, of Lan-
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caster county, and made his home in that county a few years. Their children were Adalinė, who married Rev. C. A. Wyeth ; Ilenry J .; John M., a civil engineer, who died at Selena, Ala., August 11, 1871; Mary L., who married Theodore D. Irish ; Harriet Matilda, who married Joseph Davidson ; Lucetta, who died June 9, 1837 ; Anne Eliza, who married John Thompson ; George T., who died November 4, 1867, at Ashland, and Benjamin Ingersoll. In 1831-32 the Lykens Valley Coal Company was organized and commenced operations at what was then known as "Bear Gap" (now Wiconisco). The company built a large log frame house, and Michael Shaefer moved into it for the pur- pose of boarding the workmen and entertain- ing the members of the company. At that time the upper end (now Lykens, Wiconisco and Williamstown ) was one vast wilderness, with a few log huts scattered around. He resided in this place up to the date of his death, November 30, 1849, taking an active part in the development of the coal region. He was one of the contractors in the build- ing of the Lykens Valley railroad, also in the building of the aqueduct and other im- provements at the mouth of the Wiconisco canal feeder. After the first railroad was built from the Gap to Millersburg, he had the contract for the delivery of the coal, float- ing it across the river to Mt. Patrick on the Pennsylvania canal. His wife, Susan Shaefer, who was a most estimable Christian woman, died in Harrisburg, Pa., on February 17, 1876. The remains of both rest in the ceme- tery at Harrisburg, Pa.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
- ENDERS, PHILIP C., paternal great-grand- father of G. W. D. Enders, was born July 22, 1740, in Nassau, Germany. He was married, in 1764, to Miss Anna Appalonia, daughter of Conrad Degen, of the same country, and a few months later he and bis wife came to America, landing at Philadel- phia. After remaining here a while they located near Manheim, Lancaster county, and settled in 1788, in what is now Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa. The land had to be cleared, as the country was yet a wilderness, and he followed farming, at one time owning 1,300 acres of land. Hle organ- ized and taught the first school in that sec-
tion, and donated land for the first school house at the place where Enders postoffice is at present located. Mr. Enders was one of the founders of St. Peter's Reformed and Lutheran church, now generally known as Fetterhoff's church, in which he took an ac- tive part, serving as leader of the singing until his death in 1810. Although in his youth a member of the Lutheran church, yet he was not buried in the graveyard of the church he helped to build, but was buried, as he desired, by the side of his wife, who died in 1796 and was buried near the spot where the old cabin stood.
In 1886, their descendants, wishing to perpetuate their memory and beautify their resting place, erected a white granite monu- ment, ten feet high and fully inscribed, over their graves. The descendants of the En- ders family who took the foremost part in having this memorial erected were G. W. D. Enders, as president, and Dr. Levi J. En- ders, of Williamstown, Pa., as secretary of the enterprise. The descendants are scat- tered over many States and Territories of the Union. Jeremiah B. Enders, a great-grand- son of Philip C., emigrated to Australia and has become quite wealthy.
John Conrad Enders, the paternal grand- father of G. W. D. Enders, and youngest son of Philip C., was born in 1788, and died in 1874. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Witman, daughter of Bartholomew Witman, who was a native of Germany. Mr. Wit- man lived near the Black Forest, and coming to America engaged in farming until his death. Mr. Enders was a farmer and lumber manufacturer, and fought in the war of 1812. He held various township offices, and opened the first public road lead- ing from Halifax via Fisherville to the place now known as Elizabethville. As a stage road it was known as the old Harrisburg via Gratz to Pottsville road. Mrs. Enders died before her husband, and both are buried in the graveyard of Fetterhoff's church, of which they were active members. They had a family of eleven children, among whom was Philip, the father of G. W. D. Enders.
John Frederic Zimmerman, the maternal great-grandfather of G. W. D. Enders, was born in Wolluria, Germany, and came to America in 1764, landing at Philadelphia. HIe settled in Armstrong Valley, southeast of Halifax, at a place later known as Urick's Mill, now as Yeager's Mill, where he and his
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wife died and are buried nearby.Their graves are marked on rough stones on which place large oak trees have now grown up. Mr. Zimmerman and family had in the early days great trials with roving bands of In- dians, who burned three times their cabin and took or destroyed his possessions. To escape the Indians the family took refuge in a cave near by on the banks of the Arm- strong creek.
Christian Zimmerman, maternal grand- father of G. W. D. Enders, was married to Miss Margaret Anna, daughter of John Joseph Miller, generally known as Jost Mil- ler, who came to America from Badenberg, Germany, and who was also the grandfather of Joseph Miller, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Zimmerman was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife are buried in the graveyard of Fetterhoff's church, of which they were active members. Mr. Zimmerman's father- in-law, John Joseph Miller, was born in 1742, in Badenberg, Germany, and was bap- tized and confirmed in, and became a mem- ber of the Reformed church of this country. He married Miss Elizabeth Schissler, in 1774. Landing at Philadelphia he first set- tled in Lancaster county and followed farm- ing. Later he became one of the pioneers of Dauphin county, settling in what is now Jackson township. He owned large tracts of land, held many responsible offices, and was one of the founders of Fetterhoff's church, taking an active part in its affairs. He died in 1824, and is buried in the Fetterhoff graveyard, in that part which is marked with red stone.
- ENDERS, GEORGE W. D., postmaster and merchant, Fisherville, Pa., was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 22, 1834. He is a son of Philip and Margaret A. (Zimmerman) Enders.
Philip Enders attended the subscription schools of the county. He inherited from his father sixty acres of land in Armstrong Valley, upon which he made extensive and substantial improvements, and upon which he engaged largely in farming and stock rais- ing. Ilis wife, Margaret. A., daughter of Christian Zimmerman, died in 1870. Their seven children were: George W. D .; Susanna, wife of William Withman ; Elizabeth, de- ceased, wife of James Cooper; Margaret A., deceased, wife of John F. Helt, resides in Enders, Pa .; Catherine, wife of Henry Smith,
engineer on the Lykens Valley railroad ; Mary J., wife of Aaron Wilbert, mason, Arm- strong Valley ; Isaac F., farmer, on the ok homestead. Mr. Enders is still living, aged eighty-two years. He resides in Armstrong Valley, Jackson township. He has held several township offices. His political views are Democratic. Mr. Enders is a Lutheran, and has held the offices of elder, deacon, ard other positions of trust in the church. He has come through a very active and useful life to a comfortable and happy old age, and enjoys the esteem and best wishes of a host of relatives and friends.
George W. D. Enders attended the com- mon schools of the township and the high school of Berrysburg. He remained on the homestead with his father until he was twenty-six, attending school in his earlier youth as often as possible. He taught school for nine terms. He worked on the Northern Central railroad until 1863. During the great rebel invasion which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg, he acted with the pio- neer corps, cutting down timber, repairing bridges, and aiding the Union army in all possible ways. After this, he was in the Lykens Valley coal regions, employed about the mines as machinist, carpenter, boiler maker, engineer, etc. During the following eight years he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, John F. Helt, in mercantile business, at Jacksonville, in which he met with a fair share of success. Disposing of this business, Mr. Enders opened a general store, at Enterline, in Powell's Valley, where he remained until 1879; he then removed to Fisherville and conducted a general mer- chandising business there until 1890. In this enterprise he formed a partnership with a Mr. Lebo, to whom, after one year, he dis- posed of his own interest, relinquishing the business entirely.
With the proceeds of this sale Mr. Enders purchased a farm in Armstrong Valley, on which he made valuable improvements, in- volving an outlay, including the purchase money of the farm, of the handsome sum of $9,000. His final venture in business, and the one which now occupies his attention, is a general store in Fisherville, where he car- ries a large stock and varied enough to meet the demands of the community. His abil- ity and integrity, coupled with his genial personality, attracts a large and profitable patronage.
Mr. Enders is a Democrat. He was assist-
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ant postmaster under Postmaster Joseph P. Lyter, at Enders, Pa., from 1868 to 1876, and from 1876 to 1879, at Enterline, Pa., under Postmaster Amos Sponsler. He was first made postmaster under President Hayes, and held under the first Cleveland adminis- tration ; he was displaced under President Harrison, and appointed again in 1893, by President Cleveland. He was for several years in each office, auditor, school director, and judge of elections, and is at present township treasurer. He was for seven years in the State militia. He is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 82, I. O. O. F .; Eureka Encampment, No. 137, I. O. O. F., of Hali- fax, Pa., and a member of Lodge, No. 359, K. of P. Mr. Enders has been a stockholder of the Halifax Bank ever since it was insti- tuted, and became its vice-président, a posi- tion to which he has since been annually re-elected.
Mr. Enders was married, in 1858, in Jack- son township, to Annie Kneile, born in Ger- many, in 1835; she came to this country in youth. They have one child, Emma K., wife of Dr. M. D. Lehr, of Lykens. Dr. and Mrs. Lehr have four children. He is a member of the Reformed church, and takes an active part in all church matters. He is an elder in the church, and has been deacon, Sunday-school superintendent, and teacher. The career of Mr. Enders commands the admiration of his neighbors, and his charac- ter wins their esteem. He is a supporter of all good causes and the advancement of his community, and is a willing contributor, when possible, to the different churches in his home, when aid is requested of him.
Mr. Enders is deeply interested in histor- ical matters and recently wrote the follow- ing history of the well known Fetterhoff church:
In the year 1795 the citizens and those of a religious turn of mind living in Armstrong Valley, Dauphin county, resolved to erect for themselves a house of worship. Accord- ingly, in 1796, St. Peter's church, known as Fetterhoff's church, a log structure, was erected. It soon became prominent in Ly- kens Valley, and was one of the churches of the Reformed and Lutheran charge, which embraced a large territory, extending as far as the east side of the Blue mountains and the east side of the Susquehanna river.
The records show that the first class of catechumens was under three months' in-
struction by Rev. Enterline, and was con- firmed on the Saturday before Whit Sun- day, 1797. The following composed the class : Daniel Enterline, son of Rev. Enter- line; George, son of Francis Schaeffer ; John and Simeon, sons of David Herman ; John and Elizabeth, son and daughter of Jost Miller ; John Adam and Catharine, son and daughter of Henry Warfle; Elizabeth and Catharine, daughters of Ann Maria Zimmer- man ; Catharine, daughter of Philip C. En- ders ; Elizabeth Bowerman, parents not given; Magdalena Schmuck, parents not given.
The first sacrament of the Lord's Supper was held on Whit Sunday, 1797, Rev. En- terline officiating. The following com- muned on this occasion : Philip C. Enders, Christiana Enders, Ann Maria Miller, Jost Miller, Henry Warfle, Ann Maria Zimmer- man, John Brown, Eve Maria Brown, Bar- bara Degan, Ann Maria Sweigart, Magdalena Chubb, and Maria Eva Messerschmidt.
The next communion on record was held and served again by Rev. Enterline in 1799, and the following new names appear on the records in addition to the above: Carl Frederick Frank, Frederick Albrecht, Aun Margaretta Null, Christiana Boken, Catha- rine Etteninger, Barbara Neffen, Margaretta Schultz, Elizabeth Shepley, and Catherine Null.
The third communion on record was held October 25, 1807, and served by Rev. I. D. Peterson. He also administered the sacra- ment in 1808, and July 2 and September 24, 1809. Like services were held June 3, 1810, and June 20, 1812, but no pastor's name is recorded, only the names of the communicants. On August 7, 1813, Rev. James Ross Reily confirmed a class of cate- chumens, numbering thirty-one members, and held communion on the following Sun- day, August 8, in which the class and others participated. Communion services were held on September 10, 1813, November 12, 1814, September, 1815, April 28, 1816, October 12, 1816, May, 1817, October 13, 1817, April 26. 1818, October 10, 1819. To the latter nine communion services no pastor's name is re- corded. However, history states that Rev. James Ross Reily did ministerial work in Lykens Valley up to 1819, when he was e- lieved by Rev. Isaac Gerhard, who became the regular pastor of the Reformed congre- gations, and during this time Rev. Reily
Cornelius Hoffman
Kuiny Bordes 10
G. M. D, Enders
Samell Hoffman
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served in the Pennsylvania Legislature, the charge being served by supplies instead of Rev. Reily.
Rev. Isaac Gerhard confirmed his first class of catechumens and held his first com- munion service December 25, 1819, and con- tinued to serve the church until April 4, 1841. Records show that Lutheran minis- ters held communion services from May 11, 1823, to April, 1832, no names being given. From 1832 to May 23, 1836, Rev. J. N. Hemping served the Lutberan congrega- tion. On December 31, 1837, Rev. G. Ellen- meyer administered the sacrament. In 1841 Rev. John R. Kooken became pastor of the Reformed congregation, and held his first communion October 17, and continued to serve the congregation to April 16, 1843, and was assisted in his last communion by the Lutheran minister, Rev. William G. Leitzel. Records show that Rev. Leitzel was pastor of the Lutheran congregation from April 17, 1842, to April 16, 1843, and that Rev. Kooken assisted him in his last com- munion service.
The third structure now stands where the first was built. The second church was a two story frame building, and the present one is a brick edifice with bell tower, stained glass windows, and frescoed walls and win- dows. The Rev. Kooker, referred to by Mr. Enders, became quite prominent politically, being appointed United States consul at Trinidad, Cuba, and remaining there until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he returned to the United States. Having con- siderable military knowledge, he organized a company of volunteers, became their leader and was killed in the battle of Fredericks- burg, Va., in 1862.
- ERB, PETER, boot, shoe and harness maker, was born near Reamstown, Lancaster county, Pa., November 9, 1840. His father having died before that time, Mr. Erb never heard his father's first name. His mother was Barbara (Ludwig) Erb. He was brought up by his grandfather Ludwig, who died when Peter was twelve years of age, From that time he was dependent on his own exertions for his living. His first occupation was farm work. He had to try hard for the op- portunity of working for his board and cloth- ing. At the age of fourteen he began to learn shoemaking, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. He then continued working at his trade as a journey-
man until the breaking out of the Civil war. Mr. Erb enlisted, at Lancaster, Pa., in the fall of 1861, in company G, Seventy-ninth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, Colonel Humbaugh and Captain McGovern. He was in many famous battles : At Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and in the Atlanta campaign. He marched with General Sherman to the sea and up through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina; he was present at the surrender of General Johnson. He contributed his full share to the achievements of the western army, and his brave and patriotic comrades is the story of the Nation's salvation and honor. In more than a score of battles did he stand by the flag; and in the weariness of marches and the privations of camps, his patriotism and devotion to duty never failed. He was mustered out of the service and dis- charged at Philadelphia, in June, 1865, and returned to Lancaster, Pa., where he remained until 1866. In that year he removed to Fisherville, Dauphin county, and opened a shop and store for the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes ; he has continued in this business until the present time. In cou- nection with the shoe business he also man- ufactures barness work, his son Charles being in charge of this department.
Mr. Erb was married, in Adams county, in 1867, to Julia, daughter of John Fiect, a native of Lancaster county. They have nine children : Charles, haruess maker, in business with his father; William, Laura and Ellie, attending school; Lillie, died at twelve years of age; Emma, died aged eight ; Lochiel, died when eighteen months old, and two children died in infancy. Mr. Erb is a member of B. E. Miller Post, No. 393, G. A. R., and is commander of the Post. He also belongs to Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P., at Fisherville. His politics are Republican: Mr. Erb is a member of the Lutheran church; he is superintendent of the Sunday- school, has been a teacher, and for twenty years treasurer of the school.
KILLINGER, JOHN G., justice of the peace and implement dealer, Fisherville, Dau- phin county, Pa., was born November 10, 1846. He is a son of Jacob and Maria Kil- linger. Jacob Killinger was born in South Hanover township, November 3, 1811. Hle attended the township school, and worked on the farm until he was of age, and left home to seek employment. His wife ac-
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companied him. Their only capital was five dollars in cash, and the sum of their goods was the clothing tied up in a red ban- danna handkerchief. They located in llali- fax township. Mr. Killinger had learned shoemaking, so he opened a small shoe shop. They set up housekeeping with two chairs and an empty dry goods box for a table, which latter gave place to a tool chest.
Mr. Jacob Killinger invested first in twelve acres of land, on which he built a house and a shoe shop. Trade prospered, and frugality ruled the household. In consequence, ac- cumulations furnished means for adding to their holding. In course of time they had eighty-eight acres of land and all the equip- ments and surroundings of a comfortable home. In this home Mr. Killinger died April 1, 1876, and his wife on August 23 of the same year. Their children were: Jacob, accidentally drowned in a mill pond; Susan, widow of John Novinger, Tiffin, Ohio; Lydia, wife of Jacob Zimmerman, of Halifax township; Rebecca, died young; Mary, widow of Peter Klinger, of Fisherville; John G., and William, carpenter, Dauphin, Pa. Mr. Killinger was a Democrat. He was a substantial and popular man.
John G. Killinger was educated in the common schools of his township and at Truley's Academy, in Snyder county, and Berrysburg Seminary. On September 1, 1864, he enlisted, at Harrisburg, in company A, Two Hundred and Tenth regiment, Penn- sylvania volunteers, under Captain Bower- man, and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Arlington Heights, May 31, 1865, and returned home.
In June, 1868, Mr. Killinger took up car- pentry, at which he worked for fourteen summers, and taught school twenty-one terms during the winter months. The con- finement of the school room proved detri- mental to his health, and compelled him to abandon the work of teaching. He next tried work on the railroad, but this was too arduous. In the fall of 1887 he began butchering, and has since followed that busi- ness. He is also agent for all kinds of agri- cultural implements. He has been very successful in this line. He also superintends a farm of twenty-two acres.
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