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 5
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
.
: .
609
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
his life. William H. Lyons was reared to manhood in his native county, on his father's farm. He received the ordinary education afforded by the district school, and there learned the carpenter trade. For some years he was engaged in the hotel business in Sun- bury. In 1888 he engaged in the lumber business and continued it for six years. In the summer of 1894 he built the dyke at Sunbury, making a fill of 29,000 cubic yards. In 1895 he removed to Harrisburg and in connection with H. H. Treon engaged in his present business. He was married in Upper Augusta township, February 18, 1886, to Ilattie Rockafeller, daughter of Louis and Catherine K. Rockafeller, of that township. He is a member of Fort Augusta Lodge, No. 143, K. of P., of Sunbury, and of Lance and Shield Lodge, No. 11, O. of S. P. K. In po- litical views he is a Democrat. Mrs. Lyons attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
- JOHNSON, MAX P., wholesale bottler, was born in Baltimore, Md., June 5, 1858. His early life was spent in his native city, and after leaving school he was engaged as a salesman in a brewery for fifteen years, during which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business in all its branches. In 1889 he moved to Harrisburg and se- cured the agency for the famous Anheuser- Busch Brewing Association, of St. Louis, Mo., and also for D. G. Yuengling's re- nowned porter and ales. To the handling of these brands of goods he has devoted his entire attention the past seven years. His place of business is a large and imposing stone building situated opposite the Penn- sylvania railroad depot, which is used en- tirely for the purposes of his business. The trade of the Harrisburg Bottling Works is large and lucrative, and, apart from the large country trade done by Mr. Johnson, includes an extensive trade among the leading hotels, cafes and select families of the city and vicinity. The fame of the Anheuser-Busch beer is so well established that praise from us would seem superfluous, and yet judges of good beer are never done extolling its merits. The plant of Mr. Johnson is equipped throughout with special machinery for the bottling of liquids. Mr. Johnson personally is highly esteemed in business circles for his integrity and liberal business views and well merits the liberal patronage that is bestowed upon him.
BOMGARDNER, GEORGE, was born at East Hanover, Lebanon county, July 9, 1859. He is a son of George and Margaret (Zarger) Bomgardner, natives of Lebanon county. The former still survives and resides at Grantville, Dauphin county ; the latter passed away in 1894. George was reared to man- hood and received his education in the pub- lic schools of East Hanover. After leaving school he learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked for ten years. In 1873 he removed to Harrisburg where he worked at his trade for some years and for four years was engaged in the retail shoe business and was subsequently engaged in the wholesale beer and bottling business. He was mar- ried, in 1871, at East Hanover, to Emma Wagner. She bore him one son, who was ac- cidentally killed by a Pennsylvania railroad train on the Market street crossing. In his second marriage, which occurred at Leba- non, he was united to Ella Biester, daughter of George Biester, of Harrisburg. They have no children. In politics Mr. Bom- gardner is a Republican.
-GRAUPNER, ROBERT H., proprietor of the Harrisburg Brewery, was born at Crim- midscau, province of Saxony, Germany, July 5, 1862. He is a son of August and Johanna (Herald) Graupner, both natives of the prov- ince of Saxony, both died in their native land. Robert H. was reared to manhood and educated in Germany, and there also he learned the trade of brewer. In September, 1883, he left Germany and came to America. He located in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade for nine years. He was the head man for the Smith establishment in Philadelphia for three years, and with Mr. Heffner's Lancaster brewery for one year. From the latter place he came to this city, in 1893, and has been engaged in the brew- ing business here since that date. The stars and stripes float to-day over an industry that has just been added to the great commercial interests of the city, which has for the man- ufacture of its products the most imposing edifice in this section of the State. This five building, which is the plant of the Harris- burg Consumer's Brewing and Bottling Com- pany, and located at Tenth and Market streets, has been made a necessity. It is the result of the indomitable push and fine ex- ecutive ability of Mr. Graupner, the presi- dent and general superintendent of the company. The entire plant was constructed
610
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
under his personal supervision. He is in every way a remarkable man, as an author- ity in matters relating to brewing he stands at the top and is highly regarded in the community for his ability, enterprise and sterling integrity. It is safe to predict the greatest success for the company with such an industrious and reliable man at the head. Mr. Graupner was married in Philadelphia, June, 1884, to Mary Leishner, a native of Saxony. They have five children : Max, Albert, William, Emma, and Frederick. In political views he is a Democrat. The family attend the Lutheran church.
SCHOOLEY, WILLIAM G., senior member of the firm of Schooley & Moore, proprietors of the Keystone Bottling Works, and manufac- turers of aerated waters, was born in Pitts- ton, Luzerne county, Pa., October 17, 1864. He is a son of Joseph P. and Charlotte (Laird) Schooley, who were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was educated in the public schools of his native town. After leaving school he worked in the brickyard of his father and at agricultural pursuits with his uncle until 1870, when he engaged in the manufacture and bottling of aerated water. In 1885 he removed to Harrisburg and bas continued the business here until this time.
He was married in Harrisburg, October 24, 1894, to Mattie R. Withrow, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Withrow, old and honored residents of Harrisburg. In political views he is a Republican. He is a member of John Harris Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., and of Cincinnatus Commandery, K. of M. Mr. Schooley is a live, progressive business man, fully abreast with the times. By his ener- getic business methods and fair treatment of patrons he has built up a large and rap- idly increasing trade.
ยท KOENIG. FREDERICK L., was born in Har- risburg, January 23, 1867. He is a son of Jonathan and Frederica Katrina (Goetz) Koenig, both deceased. They were both born at Oberamt Mahlbrun, Koenigreich Wurtemberg, Germany. They came to this country and settled at Harrisburg, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Jonathan Koenig was a carpenter. He was for twelve years agent for the Bergner & Engel Brewing Co. October 26, 1861, he en- listed in company K, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry. After serving one year in this regiment he was discharged at Louisville,
Ky., September 13, 1862. Mr. Koenig after- wards re-enlisted in company G, Two Hun- dred and First Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until June 20, 1865, when he was dis- charged at Harrisburg, Pa. He died in Har- risburg, July 25, 1882 ; his wife died in Har- risburg, July 7, 1891. They had four chil- dren, two of whom died in childhood. Their living children are Sarah Louisa, widow of the late John C. Wieseman, and Freder- ick L.
Frederick L. Koenig has spent his life in his native city. He received his education in the public schools, and upon its comple- tion was engaged for four years as clerk. For the past nine years he has been em- ployed in the wholesale trade as general agent for Bergner & Engel's celebrated lager beer.
He was married in Harrisburg, April 28. 1892, to Ida Selma, daughter of Ernest and Wilhelmina Katrina (Schmeide!) Hempel. They have one child, Esther Frederica. Mr. Koenig is an active member of Capital City Castle, No. 40, K. G. E .; Cincinnatus Com- mandery, No. 96, K. of M .; Harrisburg Commandery, No. 4, K. G. E .; Hope Fire Company, No. 2; Firemen's Beneficial So- ciety, and St. Michael's Church Benevolent Society. He is a Democrat. He attends St. Michael's German Lutheran church.
MEYER, ROBERT L., bottler, was born in Harrisburg, April 2, 1872; son of Charles L. and Sybillia (Swunger) Meyer, the former a native of Wesphalia, Prussia, the latter of Lebanon county, Pa. The father came to Harrisburg in his youth and was a contin- uous resident and in business in this city until his death, June 4, 1893. His family consisted of eight children : Catherine, wife of John Gorman ; Ella, wife of William Mc- Lean ; Grace, Robert, May, Emma, Bertha and Lucretia. Robert L. received his edu- cation in the city schools, after which he learned the trade of machinist and followed that occupation six years. Upon the death of his father in 1893 he succeeded to his business which he has conducted since that time. In political views Mr. Meyer is a Liberal.
CORNMAN, WILSON S., manager of the Com- monwealth Hotel, was born at the hotel of his grandfather, George Sponsler, one mile cast of Carlisle, on the Carlisle and Harris- burg pike, September 18, 1837; son of Jona-
Garanter
Wilson S. Cornman som z
SIMON CAMERON
REV. JOHN WINEBRENNER.
613
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
than and Jane (Sponsler) Cornman. When two years of age he removed with his par- ents to Centre county, Pa., where he received his education in the public schools. They located on a farm belonging to Dr. Wilson, one mile north of Potter's Fort, Centre county, where he lived until his mother died in 1852, and then lived with his father at Spring Mills, Centre county, a short time, after which he removed to Carlisle, where his father died in 1855. He served an appren- ticeship of three years at the printing busi- ness in the office of George Zinn, editor of the Carlisle American, and on November 1, 1858, became clerk for James Raymond at the Cumberland and Perry Exchange Hotel, at Carlisle, where he remained until April 2, 1862, when Mr. Raymond sold out and bought the White Hall Hotel at Harrisburg. Mr. Cornman then became clerk at the White Hall and continued for some time. He made three attempts at enlistment in the United States army and was as many times refused by the recruiting officers, because of being under the required size in height, He then went to Philadelphia and enlisted in the Keystone battery No. 2, of that city, and served his term of ninety days.
After his discharge from the military ser- vice he resumed his position as clerk at the White Hall Hotel and served in that place until Mr. Raymond sold the hotel July 2, 1866. Mr. Cornman then became the night clerk at the Lochiel on July 9, 1866, and served in that position until April, 1881, when he was promoted to chief clerk. He performed the duties of this place until Au- gust 1, 1891, when he resigned to accept the management of the Commonwealth Hotel, which position he has occupied since that date.
Mr. Cornman is prominently identified with the fraternities, holding membership in Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, and Dauphin En- campment, No. 10, I. O. O. F .; Phoenix Lodge, No. 59, K. of P., and Central Lodge, No. 19, A. O. U. W. In his political views he is a Republican. The family are mem- bers of the Market Square Presbyterian church. Mr. Cornman was married, No- vember 8, 1883, to. Harriet Susanna Ray- mond, born at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., January 12, 1845, daughter of James and Sarah Ann (Ross) Raymond.
HEIST, THOMAS H., proprietor of the Bolton House, was born in Milford, Bucks county, Pa., April 16, 1840; son of Daniel S. and
Mary (Himmelswright) Heist. The Heist family were German and the great-grand- father's people settled in Montgomery county at an early date. The grandfather Heist was born in Pennsylvania and the father was born in Bucks county. The maternal great- grandfather's people were English and came to America early, settling in Germantown, Pa., where they resided during the war of 1812. The parents of the mother removed to Bucks county, where she was born. The father in early life had a grist and saw mill, but later engaged in the hotel business. The parents had four children, three of whom are living: Sarah, wife of David Huber, Evans- burg ; Allen H., residing in Doylestown, hotel keeper and distiller ; and Thomas H. The father died in 1864 and the mother died in 1886.
Thomas H. received his primary educa- tion in the public schools at Milford Square, and subsequently attended the Millersville Academy, of Lancaster county, and Oneida Institute at Cazenovia, N. Y. He then spent one year in Nevada looking after the inter- ests of the Quinterd Silver Mining Company, which was composed of capitalists of Bucks and Montgomery counties, after which he was engaged at South Fork, Pa., in coal and general merchandising business. In 1876 he went to Johnstown, where he conducted the Merchant's Hotel for one year. In the spring of 1877 he rented the Mountain House at Ebensburg, Pa., which he conducted for six years, and in 1882 built a hotel at Ebensburg, which he managed in connection with the Summer Hotel, and the next year opened the Maple Park Springs Hotel at the same place, conducting the three houses at the same time. During the summer of 1875 he also had charge of the White House at Atlantic City. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Heist came to Harrisburg, since which time he has conducted the Bolton House, with the exception of two years. He was married, at South Bethlehem, Pa., by Rev. N. C. Sny- der, December, 1872, to Miss Sallie D. Harrar, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Harrar. of Montgomery county. Their children are: Elizabeth H., a most accomplished and ami- able young lady, who died February 12, 1894, whileattending the Bradford Academy: Stuart H., Mary H., Ophelia II., Lee II., Lola IL., and Norma H. Mr. Heist is a member of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 270, R. A. M., at Doylestown. Pa. Mr. Heist is a director of the Harrisburg Steam Heat and
41
-------
-
614
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Power Company ; of the Roaring Spring Min- ing Company, of Missouri ; of the South Fork Coal and Iron Company, and of the Blaisdele Paper and Pencil Company, of Philadelphia. He is also a charter member and a director of the Harrisburg Electric Company, and was a charter member and director of the People's Bridge Company. In his political views Mr. Heist is a Democrat. He and his family attend the Zion Lutheran church.
HIERSHEY, HENRY E., proprietor of the Hershey House, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Penn township, Lancaster county, Pa., November 14, 1846. He is a son of Christian and Anna (Eresman) Hershey. Christian Hershey was born at Sporting Hill, Lancas- ter township, and resided in that county un- til 1861, when he removed to Dauphin county. Here he spent the remainder of his life, the latter part in West Hanover township, where he died. The mother was also born in Lancaster county, and is still living and in good health at the age of eighty-three; she resides at Sporting Hill. Five of their six children are living: Maria ; Melinda, widow of Augustus Alwine, of Kansas City, Mo .; Elizabeth; Frank, of Chicago, III .; and Henry E.
Henry E. Hershey spent his early life near Manheim, Lancaster county, where he received his first instruction in the public schools. At fourteen years of age he removed with his parents to Dauphin county, locat- ing in Derry township, six miles from Hum- melstown. Here he finished his education, attending school in winter and doing home and farm work in the spring and summer. He was engaged in farming until 1873, when he decided to change his occupation, and began his career as landlord and hotel man- ager with the Park Hotel, at the fair grounds, which he conducted successfully for two years. Ile next took charge of the Stock- yard Hotel on the bank of the canal above the city limits, and managed it until 1881. His experience with these ventures was suf- ficient to develop his qualifications for the business, and to decide him to make it his life occupation. In 1881 he took the Her- shey House, of which he has been proprietor and manager since that date. Ilis house is widely and favorably known to the travel- ing public, and Mr. Ilershey, after his career of twenty-three years, stands well in the bon- orable and popular class of botel men.
Henry E. Hershey was married, in Derry
township to Miss Mary A., daughter of Christian and Anna Wissler, of Lancaster county, both deceased. They have had nine children: Anna, Christian W., Daniel W., Elizabeth, George S., Melinda, Frank, Mabel, who died in infancy, and Helen. Mr. Hershey has served efficiently for two terms in select council, and during his last term was chairman of that body. He is not an active member of any secret organization. In political views he is Democratic. The family attend Zion English Lutheran church.
- LANDIS, ROBERT F., proprietor of the Cen- tral Hotel, was born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., December 14, 1846 ; son of Ma- jor Jacob and Mary (Felty) Landis. The parents were both born in Dauphin county in 1818, and have been continuous residents of the county. The father first had a flour mill, subsequently engaged in farming and was for some years a school teacher. He represented his county in the State Legisla- ture several terms and for a number of years was a major in the State militia. The parents are both living and reside at Mid- dletown and are in the enjoyment of good health at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. They had four children : Elizabeth, wife of Samuel A. Stevens, prothonotary of Huntingdon county, Pa .; Robert F .; William F. J., residing in Toledo, Ohio; Mary A., wife of Mr. Fezell, residing at Grand Island, Neb. Samuel F. was reared and educated in his native town. In 1863 he came to Harrisburg and served an apprenticeship at the machinist trade with W. O. Hickok & Son, after which he was employed by them a year and a half. He then engaged with Raymond & Campbell, of Middletown, as a general machinist and foundryman, and re- mained in their employ for twenty years. He was subsequently in the service of the American Tube and Iron Company for eight years, and on January 3, 1895, embarked in his present business. Mr. Landis was married in Middletown to Miss Ida Bren- naman, daughter of Dr. A. N. and Mary (Elliott) Brennaman, of Middletown, and to them there have been born three children : Mary O., deceased, Robert B. and Abraham B. Mr. Landis is liberal in his political views, supporting men rather than party. Part of the family attend the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Landis is a member of the Lutheran church.
- --
3
615
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
. SHAFFNER, HENRY C., proprietor of the Windsor House, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., February 13, 1847. He is the son of the late Gabriel and Margaret (Fet- ter) Shaffner. His grandparents were both natives of Pennsylvania and by occupation were farmers. They had six children, of whom the only surviving one is Catherine, wife of Jonas White, of Manheim, Pa. Ga- briel Shaffner, father of Henry C., was born at Manheim, Lancaster county. He learned cabinet making, and pursued that calling for many years. He was also a school teacher; was justice of the peace for eight years ; was appointed postmaster at Manheim, and died aged seventy-four. He was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jacob A. and Margaret Fetter. They had four children, three of whom are living : Henry C., John M. and Mary. Annie M. died, aged thirty- nine years.
Henry C. Shaffner attended the public schools of Lancaster county a part of each year until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Mount Joy, Pa., and entered upon a four years' apprenticeship at cabinet mak- ing. After learning his trade he came to Harrisburg, and for twelve years was in the employ of W. O. Hickok, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mr. Shaffner and his father formed a partnership, and opened a grocery store at the corner of Capitol and Cumberland streets, Harrisburg, where they carried on business for thirteen years, after which they bought the residence at the cor- ner of Herr and Capitol streets. There they continued the grocery business for two years longer and then dissolved partnership. Mr. H. C. Shaffner then removed to Boas and Cowden streets and conducted business for himself two years; he then sold out and removed to his former place of business, Ilerr and Capitol streets, where he estab- lished a bleachery, which he managed for nine years.
In January, 1896, he removed to No. 418 Market street and opened the Windsor House as a temperance hotel. This house has a wide reputation as a place of comfort- able and quiet entertainment. The gentle- manly and hospitable manner of Mr. Shaff- ner makes him an agreeable host and his excellent house has a large patronage.
Mr. Shaffner was married to Miss Sadie J., daughter of Daniel and Lucinda Wenrick. They have two sons, Charles E. and Edward. He has been an active member of Harris-
burg Council, No. 106, O. U. A. M., for ten years. He also belongs to Silver Star Council, No. 130. Mr. Shaffner is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the United Breth- ren church.
1921315
Mrs. Shaffner was born January 15, 1854. Her parents were both natives of Dauphin county. Her father was a carpenter. He married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Amos and Lucinda Mader. Of their eleven chil- dren, nine are living: Kate, wife of Wesley Eichelberger ; Daniel ; Lucinda, wife of A. H. Rhoads ; Samuel A .; Sadie, Mrs. Shaffner ; Susan, wife of T. J. Bell ; Joseph ; Anne, wife of Reuben Henry ; Ida, wife of Henry Fisher. 'Their other children are: Amos, drowned in Maryland during the war ; John, shot at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Wen- rick died April 1, 1876, aged sixty-four ; his wife died May 3, 1891, aged seventy-two years. The family were members of the United Brethren church.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Shaff- ner were both natives of Dauphin county. Her grandfather, Joseph Wenrick, was a farmer and had a family of five children, two of whom are living, Joseph and Cathe- rine Sherplin, wife of Eli Sherplin, who died a prisoner of war in Libby prison. Those deceased are: Mary, wife of the late Peter Bickel ; Daniel and Eunice. Mrs. Shaffner's grandfather died in West Han- over township, Dauphin county, aged eighty- four, and her grandmother died at the same place at the age of seventy-three years.
"BACH, HARRY A., was born in Ephrata, Lancaster county, Pa., April 25, 1853. He is a son of the late Tillman and Sarah (Horting) Bach. His grandfather, George Horting, was a native of Lancaster county. His early business for some years was that of stock dealing. Later he engaged in the hotel business and was for years proprietor of the Franklin House, Lancaster. After many years devoted to this business he re- tired and spent the rest of his life free from its burdens. . He died at the age of seventy- six. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church, of Lancaster. Ilis wife, M. Horting Albright, was born in Lan- caster county, in 1800. She was also a member of the German Reformed church. She died May 7, 1887, aged eighty-seven, and was buried at Ephrata, Lancaster county. His son, Tillman Bach, was born in Lehigh
616
BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
county, Pa. He was a stone-mason and a contractor, which occupation he followed until 1862. In this year he enlisted in company B, First Pennsylvania artillery, and was with the army for six months. Ile was then honorably discharged on account of disability, caused by rupture. This in- jury, received while he was in the army, finally resulted in his death. After thirty years of weakness and suffering a surgical operation was resorted to in the hope of pro- longing his life, but he was unable to sus- tain the shock and died in March, 1895, at the age of seventy-six. His politics were Republican. He was a member of the Re- formed church, in Lancaster. His wife, Sarah, daughter of George and Magdalena Horting, born in Lancaster county, March 27, 1824, still lives in Lancaster, in the en- joyment of comfortable health, at the age of seventy-two years. Four of their fourteen children are living: Caroline, wife of John Wolf; Harry A., Tillman H., and Martha, wife of Adam Wise. The children deceased were Fannie, wife of John Stanter ; George W. and John; the rest died in infancy.
Harry A. Bach attended the public schools of Lancaster until he was fifteen years old. He then spent six months in an excellent private school in the same city. When nearly sixteen he entered the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as brakeman on the Philadelphia division. By a faithful and efficient discharge of his duties he won the confidence of his em- ployers and was subsequently made a con- ductor, and was in their employ for twelve consecutive years. He removed from Lan- caster to Philadelphia, from thence to Mid- dletown and from thence to Harrisburg, and in December, 1880, took charge of the hotel on the corner of Broad and Capitol streets, Harrisburg. Since that date he has carried on that business with enviable success and attained a leading place among hotel men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.