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 26
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Mr. Killinger was married, in Jackson township, June 3, 1869, to Anna M. Whit- man, born in Halifax township, October 22, 1846; daughter of Philip and Susan (Fetter- hoff) Whitman. Their children were: Laura
A., died when three years old; Hiram W., in business in Philadelphia; Thomas J .. died at four years of age; John, died aged three years; H. Frank, James. LaRoss, and Maggie P., at home. Mr. Killinger is a member of Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P., Fisherville; and of B. F. Miller Post, No. 393, G. A. R .; he is adjutant of the Post.
The grandfather of Mrs. Killinger, Colonel Fetterhoff, was in the war of 1812. The great-grandmother of Mrs. Killinger (Mc- Frederick Fetterhoff) was blind for thirty years previous to her death.
- BONAWITZ, W. E., M. D., physician and surgeon, Fisherville, Pa., was born in Mif- flin township, near Berrysburg, Dauphin county, Pa., January 30, 1866. Jonathan Bonawitz, the father of Dr. Bonawitz, was born in Mifflin township, and was a son of John Bonawitz, a farmer, also a native of Dauphin county ; the father of John Bona- witz was George Bonawitz, a native of Berks county, and of German descent. Some of the earlier generations participated in the Revolution and in the war of 1812. All of the Bonawitz family were land owners and stock raisers. The earliest representatives of the family settled in Dauphin county about 1780.
Dr. Bonawitz's father, Jonathan Bonawitz, is still living. He attended subscription schools, grew up on a farm, and made farming his life occupation. He was an ex- tensive farmer and stock raiser, owning more than two hundred acres of land. He was a strong advocate of the free school sys- tem, and was active and influential in secur- ing its adoption. Mr. Bonawitz married Margaret Rutter, born in Halifax township, daughter of Henry Rutter, a furniture manu- facturer. Their children are: Mary L., wife of P. E. Stino, who keeps a creamery in Mif- flin township; Charles E., farms the home- stead; Dr. W. E .; Kate, milliner and school teacher, and S. Fannie, resides at home. Mr. Bonawitz is Republican in his views, but does not dabble in politics. He has always taken a deep interest in church matters, and is a member of the Lutheran church. He was a leader of the church choir from the age of sixteen until he became too old for that work.
W. E. Bonawitz attended first the common schools of Mifflin township and then the seminary at Berrysburg, where he received a teacher's certificate. He attended the State
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Normal School, at West Chester, from 1885 to 1886. When seventeen years old he taught school in Northumberland county. He sub- sequently taught in Mifflin and Jefferson townships, Dauphin county. Ile read medicine with Dr. A. J. Kantz and Dr. J. M. Linker, of Berrysburg, after which he studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore, and received his diploma as physician and surgeon from that institution in 1889. He then took a supplementary special course in operative surgery and head, throat, and lungs at the same college, and received from that college a diploma as spe- cialist in the treatment of diseases of the heart, throat, and lungs, subsequently pass- ing an examination in general medicine and surgery at the Medico-Chirurgical College, of Philadelphia.
Dr. Bonawitz began the practice of his profession in Fisherville. His recognized ability and his agreeable manners have made him popular, and he has built up an extensive remunerative practice throughout the county. His services are in demand in the surrounding territory and in other towns and boroughs. He has performed many most difficult surgical operations with phe- nomenal success.
Dr. Bonawitz was married, at Berrysburg, in 1890, to Anna M. Beshler, of Philadelphia, born in Berrysburg, daughter of Dr. John Beshler, and granddaughter of Dr. Henry Beshler, well-known physicians of Dauphin county. They have no children. Dr. Bona- witz is a member of Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P., Fisherville, and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He belongs to the Lutheran church. Dr. Bonawitz was ap- pointed physician for the poor in his district in 1892, and has held the office since that time. He is both successful in his profes- sion and popular as a man.
BIXLER, CORNELIUS, merchant and manu- facturer, was born in Higgins township, Schuylkill county, Pa., November 20, 1834. His father, John Bixler, was born in the same township, and was a son of Peter Bix- ler, a native of Berks county, Pa., of German and English ancestry. John Bixler grew up on the farm in his native county. His father, Peter, was a large landholder and carried on several branches of business, farm- ing, distilling and wagon making. In 1844 John Bixler removed with his family to Dauphin county and located in Jackson
township, where he owned a farm and mill, which he operated until his death, in 1863. He married Sarah Straw, a native of Berks county, daughter of Benjamin Straw, a farmer, of Schuylkill county, Pa. They had eight children : Sarah A., wife of James Miller, farmer, of Jackson township; Cor- nelius, Percival, William, Kate, Mary, Lydia, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Bixler was a Democrat in his earlier life, and after- wards a Republican. He died in 1863, and his wife died June 17, 1896.
Cornelius Bixler attended the common schools of his township. In boyhood and early manhood he was employed about his father's mill, where he remained until his father's death, when he sold the mill. He then enlisted in company A, Two Hundred and Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He entered the army as a second lieutenant, and was subsequently in command of com- pany C. He was at the fight of Gravel Run, at Five Forks and Richmond, and was present at the surrender of General Lee. He was sick in the hospital for three days, but escaped all wounds, although many comrades fell on all sides of him.
At the close of the war Mr. Bixler returned to his native county and located in Fisher- ville, where he took charge of a hotel and conducted it for five years with gratifying success. He also established a carriage fac- tory, and undertook the manufacture of ve- hicles on a large scale, giving employment to many men, and in many ways benefiting the community. For twenty years he was interested in this business, and gave it his best efforts with good results. The enter- prise was the pride and joy of his heart. Ile enjoyed to the utmost the sight of skilled mechanics at their work, carning comfort- able wages, producing meritorious work, and making patrons pleased with their purchases. He regarded the busy factory as the very fountain of prosperity, sending out its streams in all directions to bless the community.
In 1884 he relinquished his business and entered the political arena as county com- missioner. In 1892 Mr. Bixler erected two creameries, one at Fisherville, the other in Powell's Valley, Halifax township. At an expenditure of $6,000 he provided his plants with the finest equipments to be had. These creameries are also a great public benefit. The payment to farmers for milk is over $1,600 per month, and the products are shipped to points near and far, throughout
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the country. In connection with the cream- ery, Mr. Bixler runs a cider mill, which pro- duces a hundred barrels daily. He has a farm of fifty-two acres, near Fisherville, upon which he has made important improvements for keeping ten milch cows and other stock. In 1893 he added to his enterprises a general merchandise business, and in this also he meets with deserved success.
Mr. Bixler was married, in Jackson town- ship, September, 1856, to Catherine A., daugh- ter of Daniel Miller, a farmer of Jackson township. They have had twelve children, of whom six are living: Isaac P., shipper, at Halifax; Emma J., housekeeper for her father; David W., resides in Powell's Valley ; Katie, wife of Samuel Bowman, a hotel man, of Fisherville; John, a storekeeper, and William, at school. Mary E. and Robert died young, and four died in infancy. Mr. Bixler is a Republican. He was elected county commissioner in 1884, on the Re- publican ticket, receiving 3,200 votes over his competitor ; in 1888 he was elected for a second term to the same office. His admin- istration was marked by many substantial improvements throughout the county.
Mr. Bixler is a member of Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P., Fisherville, and has main- tained his membership for twenty-one years. He belongs to B. F. Miller Post, No. 393, G. A. R. He is a member of the Lutheran church. The business enterprise of Mr. Bix- ler has made his name a household word, and his popularity is unlimited. Mrs. Bixler died March 6, 1892.
HELT, JOHN F., postmaster and general merchant, was born in Clark's Valley, Dau- phin county, Pa., January 14, 1841. His father, David Helt, was a native of Dauphin county, and a son of Christian Helt, an ex- tensive farmer and stockman in Clark's Val- ley. David Helt also was largely interested in the same business, being the owner of over three hundred acres of land. IIe married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Dau- phin county, by whom he had eight chil- dren: John F .; Henry, deceased ; Emeline, widow of David Smink ; William, deceased ; Daniel, farmer of Jackson township; Eliza- beth, deceased; Catherine, unmarried, and one child who died in infancy. David Helt died in Jackson township, May 3, 1883. Ilis wife is living, and resides in the township. Mr. Helt was a Republican. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, and was deacon
and elder, and held other church offices. He was a prominent and popular man.
John F. Helt attended school in Union- town, Clark's and Powell's Valley, for six months; this was his entire school educa- tion. He is self-educated. He worked with his father on the farm until he was fifteen, after which he hired out to work for wages, for three years. At eighteen years of age he went to learn carpentry, in which occupa- tion he spent ten years. During part of the time he was a contractor and builder. In 1867 Mr. Helt formed a partnership with George WV. D. Enders in the mercantile busi- ness, in Jackson township. This partnership continued until 1876, when he bought the interest of Mr. Enders, and has since con- ducted the business with fair success. He is a director in the Halifax Bank and was one of its organizers.
Mr. Helt was first appointed postmaster under the administration of President Hayes, and has given so general satisfaction that he has been retained in office through all the changes in the General Government. Mr. Helt is a Democrat. He has filled the. township offices of school director, auditor and treasurer. He was married, in 1861, to Margaret Enders, a native of Jackson town- ship, daughter of Conrad Enders, and sister of G. W. D. Enders. They have two chil- dren : Anna J., wife of Dr. C. C. Miller, of Halifax, and Ira M. Mrs. Helt died No- vember 21, 1894. Mr. Helt is a member of the Lutheran church.
Ira M. Helt, son of John F. Helt, was born August 17, 1865. He was educated in the district schools, in the high school of Eliza- bethville, and in Berrysburg Academy. He is now in charge of his father's store. He is a promising young business man, and is popular in all circles. Mr. Helt was mar- ried, on his twenty-fifth birthday, August 17, 1890, to Maggie, daughter of William Philips. They have two children: Vernie and Carrie. Mr. Helt is a Democrat. IIe is a member of the Lutheran church.
-ENDERS, GEORGE W., general merchant, was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 6, 1836. His grand- father, John Enders, was a son of the first Enders who settled in Dauphin county, a sketch of whom is found in connection with the sketch of G. W. D. Enders. He was born in Lancaster county, and was the owner of six hundred acres of land.
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John Enders, father of George W., was born in Jackson township, in 1800. He at- tended the subscription schools of the town- ship, and later his occupation was farming and stock raising. He married Sarah Ettien, born in Halifax township. They had ten children : Peter, veteran of the late war, of Jacksonville ; Henry, of Jacksonville ; Eliza- beth, deceased ; Catherine, deceased, wife of Daniel Shope; Mary, second wife of Daniel Shope; Philip, farmer in Wyandotte county, Ohio ; George W .; John, deceased ; Nelson, residing in Harrisburg; Jacob, farmer of Jackson township, and a veteran of the late war. The father died in 1872, the mother in 1873. Mr. John Enders was for fifteen years justice of the peace, was tax collector, and was first president of the school board of Jackson township, being elected about 1834. His politics were Democratic. He was a member of the United Brethren church. He was well known and highly esteemed for his many virtues and excel- lencies. .
George W. Enders attended the common schools of the township and Berrysburg Academy, where he received a liberal edu- cation. He taught school for twenty-six years in Jackson, Halifax and Williams townships. He also learned shoemaking, and followed that trade for some time. Having accumulated money by teaching, Mr. Enders removed to Jacksonville and erected a fine house and store, at an expen- diture of $4,000. He went into mercantile business in 1884, to which he has since that time given his attention. He has built up a profitable business. He has also invested in land, having farms aggregating one hun- dred and sixteen acres, one of which, with the improvements made on it, has cost him $3,000. Stock raising is also part of his business.
Mr. Enders was married, in Jackson town- ship, in 1858, to Susan Warner, a native of Dauphin county, daughter of John Warner, of that county. They have four children : Fernando C., farmer, married Emma Yingst, residing in Tennessee; Clinton D., farms the homestead, married Laura Enders ; Wal- ter, farmer, of Jackson township, married Jane Shook ; and Carson C., at home. Mr. En- ders has been agent for the Halifax Mutual Fire Insurance Company for eighteen years. He has been justice of the peace for twenty- four years, and has never had an appeal taken from his court. His politics are
Democratic, but he votes the Probibition ticket. He is a member of the United Brethren church, is local preacher, member of the annual conference, elder of the church since 1880, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school twenty-five years. He is one of the substantial and reliable men of the community, and is universally esteemed.
- WILBERT. C. B., teacher and farmer, was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa., March 18, 1857. His father, Levi Wil- bert, was born in Jackson township in 1823, and died in 1892. IIe was a stone mason, and was engaged in canal and railroad building. He was married, in April, 1856, in Jackson township, to Julia, daughter of Adam Zimmerman, a farmer of Jackson township. They had three children : C. B .; Isaac, killed in the coal mines at Williams- town, January, 1889, and Annie, wife of Al- bert Dieterich, of Lykens township. Mr. Wilbert was a Republican. His wife is liv- ing and resides in Jacksonville, Pa.
C. B. Wilbert attended the common schools 'until he was fifteen years old. In 1873 he entered the Berrysburg high school. He had a strong desire to obtain a more liberal education, and to prepare himself for the profession of a teacher. He had no re- sources at his command save his natural capacity and the laudable ambition to be- come a useful and prominent man. taught school in Jackson township in 1873. He attended the State Normal- School at Millersville, Lancaster county, during the sessions of 1875, 1876 and 1878. By this course of alternate teaching and studying he was enabled to secure a thorough training for his chosen profession.
Mr. Wilbert has been a teacher for twenty- two years in Jackson township, and the re- sults of his work are seen in the numbers of his pupils who hold honorable positions in the ranks of business and professional men. There are teachers, preachers, doctors and lawyers, as well as merchants, manufactur- ers and farmers, who gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to his faithful and skill- ful instructions. How to succeed in teaching has been his life's study, and he has cer- tainly solved the problem in his experience and success. He has also found time to superintend and cultivate a farm.
Mr. Wilbert was married, in Jackson town. ship, September 2, 1881, to Lydia Louder- milch, born September 2, 1856, a native of
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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Jackson township, where her father, Michael Loudermilch, a well-known farmer, shoe- maker and butcher, resides. They have had four children : Ella M., born July 20, 1882; Annie E., May 4, 1891; Mabel A., died young ; and Emma B., born May 24, 1896.
Mr. Wilbert is a member of the Order of United American Mechanics. He is a Re- publican, and was clerk of the township. He is a Lutheran, and has been a deacon in the church for six years. He has been a teacher in the Sunday-school since 1875, and is now its superintendent. He stands high among the teachers of the State, and is a genial and popular gentleman, and was census enumerator in 1880 for Jackson town- ship.
MILLER, JAMES, farmer, was born in Jack- son township, Dauphin county, Pa., Janu- ary 26, 1843. His great-grandfather, Joseph Miller, was born in Germany. He came to this country some time between 1760 and 1770, and settled in the valley which now is comprised in Jackson township. He was an extensive farmer and stock raiser. He died' in Jackson township. His son, Joseph Mil- ler, the grandfather of James Miller, grew up on his father's farm and followed his father's occupations, to which he added that of distilling. He married a Miss Lantz, by whom he had seven children: John, Samuel, Joseph, Barbara, Catherine, Sarah, and Maria. Ife died in Jackson township.
Joseph Miller (3), father of James Miller, attended subscription schools in the town- ship. He followed the occupations of his father and grandfather, and was extensively engaged in farming, stock raising and dis- tilling. He married Elizabeth Bowerman, born in Jefferson township, in 1815, and died in 1886. They had six children : John, enlisted in company A, Fifteenth regiment, United States infantry, went into the field, and was never heard from; Joseph, engi- neer in Hoe's factory ; Jacob, deceased ; James; B. F., who died in the army, and Sarah, wife of James Nobinger, a farmer and car- penter of Jackson township. Mr. Miller still lives, at the ripe age of eighty-three years. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and has been trustee, deacon, elder, Sunday- school teacher, and superintendent. ITis politics are Republican. Mr. Miller is an impressive example of a happy old age; his happiness is well founded and can never decay. It consists in doing good, and try-
ing to make others happy. He has made himself familiar with all that the Heavenly Father has to communicate of truth and grace to his children, in the messages of love contained in the Bible, hence his mind is fortified against errors which might else disturb his peace. His own family, who best know him, and have felt his influence most, love him best, but all bear witness to the life of charity, righteousness and purity which he has led.
James Miller, until he was seventeen years old, was in the district schools a short time in the winter, and was busy at farm work in summer. At the age mentioned, he went to learn the trade of shoemaking, in his native township, and after acquiring the trade con- tinued working at it for some time. He then went to York county, where for two years he was engaged in milling, at which business he afterwards spent two more years in Jackson township, Dauphin county.
On August 10, 1863, Mr. Miller enlisted at Harrisburg, in company C, Fifteenth reg- iment, United States infantry, for five years, under Col. A. M. Dudley and Capt. A. M. Brown, and was sent to Fort Adams, R. I. He was in the quartermaster's department as wagon master. Mr. Miller was in the service three and a half years, six months of which time he spent in the hospital, suffer- ing with lung and liver troubles. He was discharged at Vicksburg, Miss., in January, 1866, after which he returned home, and was for two years in the milling business. He then purchased a farm, which he im- proved at an outlay of $2,000; he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has found trading very profitable, and since 1875 has given it much attention. He is also interested in a dairy.
Mr. Miller was married, in Jackson town- ship, May 28, 1868, to Sarah A. Bixler, born in Jackson township, February 18, 1847; sister of Cornelius Bixler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. They had four children : Lydia C., born January 11, 1869, married December 24, 1894, to C. M. Bowerman, school teacher, of Jackson township; J. Edward, born October 10, 1872, plasterer, married Annie Harper, born in Jackson township; Sarah E., born May 10, 1879, and Annie M., born July 18, 1883, at- tending school.
Mr. Miller is a Republican and is inspec- tor of elections. IIe is a member of the Lu - theran church, and has been deacon, elder,
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DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Sunday-school teacher and superintendent. He belongs to R. B. Miller Post, No. 393, G. A. R., and to Enders Lodge, No. 359, K. of P., Fisherville. Mr. Miller is a hard worker, and is full of push and pluck. He has suc- ceeded in the struggle of life, and enjoys the good will and esteem of the community.
SNYDER, JOSEPH, farmer and stockman, was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa., October 9, 1843. His great- grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled in Jackson township, where he was an extensive farmer and stock raiser. Will- iam Snyder, grandfather of Joseph Snyder, was a native of Dauphin county, and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He also kept what is known as the Mountain House. He had eleven children : George, Daniel, Peter, Michael, Jonathan, John Christian, Cathe- rine, Lydia, Mary, Ellen, and Susanna. William Snyder died in Jackson township. He was a good church member, and was re- spected by all who knew him.
John Christian Snyder, father of Joseph, grew up on the farm, and became a farmer and stock raiser. He married Susan Miller, born in Jackson township; died in 1882. They had eleven children : Nathaniel; Peter; Lydia, died young ; Joseph ; Ellen, deceased, wife of Uriah Hegard; Isaac P., deceased ; Josiah, resides at Fisherville; Mary M., wife of William McNeal, farmer, of Jackson township; Susan A., wife of Nathaniel Shutt, Jackson township; C. Frank, farmer, and William R., farmer. Mr. Snyder was a Re- publican. He was a member of the Re- formed and Lutheran church. He died in Jackson township in 1885.
Joseph Snyder attended school a part of each year, and worked on the farm in busy seasons. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty years old. After this he worked two years at shoemaking with Daniel Shoop, of Jackson township. He was occu- pied in shoemaking on his own account until 1883, when he fell ill, and had to go to the hospital. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Sny- der bought a farm of sixty-seven acres, for which he paid $4,200. After improving it and working it two years, he sold it for $4,200. In 1885 he bought the farm he now owns and occupies, consisting of one hun- dred and eighty acres, for $8,500, and ex- pended $1,000 more in making improve- ments on it. Mr. Snyder is justly con- sidered one of the most enterprising farmers
in the township. Besides his land invest- ments he has also an interest in the Fisher- ville creamery. Mr. Snyder was married, in 1866, to Mary, daughter of John Zimmer- man, born in Jackson township, in 1846. They have three children : Lillie C., at home: Ira P., in the creamery business at Bowells- ville, Ohio, and Martin Luther, attending school and farming. Mr. Snyder is a Re- publican, and is serving as a school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and has been six years a deacon. Mr. Sny- der is well known, and recognized as a man of intelligence and good judgment, progres- sive and full of enterprise. He is well liked by his neighbors.
ZIMMERMAN, AMOS, farmer and stockman, was born in Jackson township, Dauphin county, Pa., December 18, 1841. Christian Zimmerman, his grandfather, was a farmer and stock raiser in the same township. John Zimmerman, father of Amos, was born in Jackson township, February 12, 1816. He attended subscription schools, and from early boyhood worked on his father's farm. He made farming and stock raising his life- long occupation. Mr. Zimmerman was mar- ried, June 1, 1837, to Lydia Bowman, born April 23, 1815, in Jackson township. They had eight children: Charles B., born De- cember 10,1838, farmer, Cumberland county, Pa .; Nathaniel, born May 5, 1840, deceased ; Amos, born December 18, 1841; Susan, February 16, 1844, wife of William David- son; Mary, March 3, 1846, wife of Joseph Snyder; Jacob, May 7, 1848, deceased ; Mar- garet, February 6, 1850, wife of George Shez- ley, carpenter ; Isaac P., May 17, 1855, a pas- tor in the Lutheran church, in Schuylkill county, Pa. The father died July 14, 1SSS, and the mother February 28, 1885. Mr. Zimmerman belonged to the Democratic party, and was a member of the Lutheran church.
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