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 55
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-ENTERLINE, SOLOMON H., deceased, for- merly a prominent business man at Berrys- burg, was born in Uniontown, Miffin town- ship, January 7, 1835; son of Michael and Elizabeth (Herfer) Enterline. The grand- father was born in Germany and came to this country, where he spent the remainder of his life in labors of the ministry in the Lutheran church. He ministered to the spiritual needs of the people in Mifflin town- ship and helped to build" the first Lutheran church in the township, known as the Hill church. By his self-sacrificing devotion and faithful and able services he endeared him- self to the people and was held in high esteem. In his political views he was a Dem- ocrat. Michael, the father, was born and educated in Germany and learned the trade of hatter. Later he engaged in keeping hotel and in cultivating a farm. He was married, in Lykens Valley, to Elizabeth Herfer, a native of Centre county. Their children were: Eliza, Sarah, Mary A., Louisa, Catherine, Elizabeth, Solomon, Jennie, and two who died young. The father was a Dem- ocrat. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church and both died in Berrys- burg.
Solomon attended the schools of his native township and acquired a fair education. When fifteen years of age he became clerk
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in a store at Berrysburg, where he remained until he was twenty-two years old. He then bought an interest in the store of George Lark, with whom he remained in business for several years, when he sold out and for three years was clerk in the grain business at Elizabethville. He next started a store at Bull Run, Snyder county, which he con- ducted successfully for two years, after which he returned to Berrysburg and was engaged in farming for two years. His next venture was in partnership with Josiah Yeager, in a store at Fisherville, which they conducted for three and a half years. He then returned to Berrysburg and bought a store for $2,500, which he conducted with gratifying success, and in which he continued until his death. Mr. Enterline was married, in Halifax, Sep- tember 26, 1860, to Anna E. Snyder, born in Berrysburg, December 3, 1840; daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Bordner) Snyder, the former a shoemaker and a native of Dauphin county. Their children are: M. Elizabeth, born October 11, 1861, wife of Dr. Charles M. Richert, of Harrisburg; Katie A., born August 12, 1863, unmarried, bookkeeper at Philadelphia; Sallie L., born October 20, 1865, unmarried, at Harrisburg; Virginia E., born January 5, 1867, wife of Prof. J. B. Reese, principal of Ridgway school; Charles M., born April 20, 1868, moulder, at York. Mr. Enterline died July 7, 1879. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In fra- ternal relationship he was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His business tact and talent were of a high or- der, and his business career was successful and laudable. He built a fine residence at an outlay of $1,000, and took place among the most prominent business men of the region. Ile was widely known and uni- versally popular.
" HOFFMAN, WILLIAM, son of Jacob and Eve Elizabeth (Weiser) Hoffman, was born Sep- tember 7, 1831, in Jordan township, North- umberland county, Pa. ITis grandfather re- moved from Berks county, where he was born, to Lykens Valley, at an early day, locating on a farm near Berrysburg. Ile married Rebecca Kuntzman, and their chil- dren were: Daniel, George, Jacob, John, and seven daughters. Jacob learned the trade of a carpenter and married Eve Elizabeth Weiser. Their children were: William ; John; Mary, who married a Mr. Witmer;
Sarah, who married a Mr. Moyer ; and Eliza- beth, who married a Mr. Deppen. He re- moved to Northumberland county, where he followed farming and cabinet making, and there most of their children were born. William Hoffman's carly life was passed on his father's farm, and his educational advan- tages were limited to the country schools. In 1859 he removed to Uniontown, Dauphin county, where he engaged in merchandising until 1865, when, having retired from mer- cantile pursuits, he began the manufacture of agricultural implements, which occupation was continued until 1878, when he again resumed his former business. In 1860 Mr. Hoffman was elected a justice of the peace, which office he held for twenty years. In 1877 he was chosen burgess of Uniontown borough, and is a director of the First Na- tional Bank of Millersburg. Mr. Hoffman married, October 20, 1853, Lydia, daughter of Adam Willier, of Lykens township. Their children are: W. Jacob; J. Weiser; Sarah E., who married a Mr. Emrick ; Kate A., and Eulera J.
HESS, JOHN, farmer, Pillow P. O., was born in Lykens township, Dauphin county, Pa., January 31, 1840; son of Solomon and Eva (Salbyn) Hess, and brother of Solomon Hess. He attended school in the township only in the winter, and only for about one month in each year. He began regular farm work at eight years of age, and was employed on the homestead until he was twenty-three years of age. He then rented a farm in Lykens town- ship containing eighty acres, which he worked for two years, and also ninety acres belong- ing to his father for two years after. He next went into the hotel business, buying property at Uniontown, for which he paid $7,000, a part of which he had saved from his four years' farming. He kept the hotel one year and sold it for $9,000, and in 1869 bought a farm of ninety acres of his father in Lykens township, which he has improved, erecting a dwelling for $3,000 and a barn for $2,500, and otherwise improved the place. He raises stock and attends the markets at Middletown, and also takes a great interest in county fairs. He was married, in Upper Paxton township, in 1862, to Caroline Moyer, born at Gratz, January 10, 1844; daughter of George Moyer, a native of Germany, and a blacksmith by trade. They have two chil- dren : Mary C., married Nathan Hortman, who died in 1891, and they have one child,
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Annie; she next married Luther Byerly, farmer on the homestead; Annie M., unmar- ried. Mr. Hess is a Republican and has served as school director three years, tax col- lector three terms and assessor one year. He is a member of the German Reformed church and has been an elder for two years.
HARTMAN, JACOB, farmer and mill owner, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Lykens town- ship, Dauphin county, March 28, 1828. Henry Hartman, the grandfather, was' a native of Germany and a farmer. He first settled in Montgomery county ; moved from there to Williams Valley and afterwards to Lykens Valley, where he farmed one hun- dred acres of land, and raised live stock. He married a Miss Herner, and they had six children. Both were members of the Lu- theran church, and both died near Gratz, Pa.
Henry, the father, was an extensive farm and stockman, cultivating three hundred acres, and owning and operating a grist mill in Washington township. He married Mag- delina Shoffstall, of Lykens Valley, and they had six sons and five daughters: John, de- ceased ; Henry ; Simon, deceased ; Elizabeth ; Jacob; Benneville and Catherine, twins, de- ceased; Moses, Michael, Catherine, Polly, and Umholtz. Originally Mr. Hartman was ยท a Whig, and later a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, and he served in various church and Sunday-school offices. Both died on the old homestead.
Jacob attended the subscription school taught in the log school house, which was originally his father's home. His education was limited, because he was obliged to drive the horses in tramping out the wheat, and also to use the flail on the grain, to chop wood in winter, and work on the crops in summer. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, after which he took one of his father's farms in Washington township on the shares for six years, and saved a little money. He bought a farm of his father consisting of one hundred and six acres of land, only a part of which was cleared, on which there were a small frame house and log barn, for which he paid $56 per acre. He cleared the land, built a fine dwelling house, of brick made on the farm, costing $3,000, and also a good barn, and other buildings costing $1,800. IIe also bought more land, and built a flouring mill costing $8,000; and is reported as one of the
most prosperous men in the township. H was married, in Mifflin township, in 1853, to Catherine Deibler, daughter of John Deibler, born in Mifflin township, in 1833. Their children are: Lena; John; Nathaniel, de- ceased ; George, deceased; Henry, Grant, Kate, Emma, and one child died young.
Mr. Hartman is a Republican in politics, and has served in the offices of school direc- tor, supervisor, tax collector, and assessor. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he is deacon, elder, trustee, and treas- urer, and is also Sunday-school superintend- ent and teacher.
KAUTZ, DR. A. J., physician, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Union county, Pa., July 31, 1837 ; son of John Kautz. The father was a carpenter by occupation, and died in 1850. He married Mary Fisher, also a native of Union county, and they had six children : Christian, Mary A., George W., Samuel B., Dr. A. J., and B. Franklin. Themother died in Snyder county, in 1881. Dr. A. J. attended school in Washington township, Snyder county, and hired out as a farmer boy until he was eighteen years of age, after which he attended Freeburg Academy, and Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., two terms. In 1860 he taught school during the winter months in Schuylkill county, and read medi- cine with Dr. Schaffer for six months. In 1862 he went West to Illinois and read medi- cine with Dr. Fox, and was an assistant in the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, for three years. He was graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, in 1865, after which he worked in a drug store for a time, and, in the latter part of the same year came East and located in Northumber- land county, where he practiced medicine for three years. He then took an extended course at Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- delphia, and received a diploma from that in- stitution in 1869. He came then to Berrys- burg, where he has since been in practice since that time. Dr. Kautz was married, in February, in 1869, to Emeline S. Miller, of Berrysburg, and to this marriage there is no issue. She died in 1888, and he married, in 1890, for his second wife, Sarah F. Kahler, of Berrysburg, and to this marriage no chil- dren have been born. In politics Dr. Kautz is an ardent Democrat, and has served as school director. He is a member of the Lu- theran church, in which he is an elder and deacon.
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-LEHMAN, WILLIAM, farmer and stockman, Berrysburg, was born near St. John Lu- theran church in Mifflin township, Dauphin county, Pa., February 7, 1857. John, the father, was a son of Samuel and was born in Mifflin township, June 10, 1821. He at- tended the subscription schools and acquired a fair education in German and English. He learned the trade of shoemaker and followed the occupation for some years, after which he rented a farm of sixty acres belonging to the church, which he operated for twenty- eight years. He then bought the farm of fifteen acres which his son now owns and occupies, upon which he erected. buildings and made substantial improvements. He was married, in Mifflin township, to Denah Koppenheffer, born in the township in 1825. They have ten children: Anna, Henry, Mary, Amanda, deceased, John, Hannah, William, Sarah, Charles, and Emma, de- ceased. He died January 27, 1893. In poli- ties he was a Democrat and in faith and fel- lowship a Lutheran, and was an elder, deacon and trustee in the church.
William attended school near Berrysburg, and worked on the farm until he attained his majority, when he lived out as a farm la- borer for twelve years. He took up butch- ery and continued at it one year, after which he returned to the homestead on which he has since been employed. He is not mar- ried but is the support and stay of his mother. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion a Lutheran, and is a deacon and Sunday- school teacher. His entire life has been spent in his native valley.
-- LENKER, VALENTINE, harness maker, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa., July 12, 1838. Christian Lenker, the father, was born at the same place and was a farmer by oc- cupation. He married Susan Shott, born in Lykens Valley, and they had four chil- dren : Daniel S., Valentine, Christian, a physician in Schuylkill county, and Hiram, died young. The father served as county commissioner for one term, and in most of the township offices. He was a Democrat, and a member of the German Reformed church. He died on the old homestead, and his wife died in Jackson township in 1877.
Valentine attended school in the town- ship and worked on the homestead, later he served an apprenticeship of four years at the trade of harness making with Josiah Yarger,
after which he opened a shop in Wiconisco, which he conducted for several months, and then engaged in the same business near Harrisburg, and remained a short time. He then removed to Fisherville, where he worked at his trade in connection with car- riage trimming. September 21, 1861, he en- listed at Halifax in company E, Ninth regi- ment, Pennsylvania cavalry, Capt. J. E. Dealliter and Col. Ed. Williams, and served under General Kilpatrick until he was dis- charged December 24, 1864. After remain- ing at his home at Fisherville a short time, he obtained a position as a Government har- ness maker at Washington, D. C., which he held until the close of the war. He then re- turned to Berrysburg and resumed work at his trade, and continued until March, 1896. when he sold his business to William Miller. Mr. Lenker was married, at Fisherville, in 1860, to Ellen E. Uhler, born at Harrisburg, and they have six children : Charles (); Anna L., wife of R. J. Robertson, salesman ; Maggie V., wife of R. M. Hoover; Harvey E., Thomas E., and one child who died in infancy ; his wife died May 14, 1892. In his political views Mr. Lenker is a Republican. He represented the county in the State Leg- islature one term, and served as burgess of Berrysburg, tax collector and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Independent - Order of Odd Fellows, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and Grand Army of the Republic. In religious faith and fellowship he is with the Methodist Episcopal church.
MILLER, JONATHAN, retired, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Berks county, Pa., April S, 1812. Christian Miller, the father, was born in Maryland, and followed the occupation of carpenter, in Berks county, where he died in 1818. He married Mary Shall, of Berks county, and their children are: Isaac, de- ceased ; Catherine, deceased, wife of Fred. Yousel ; Sarah, widow of George Scibert ; Jonathan, and Samuel S., resides in Indiana. The father was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith and fellowship was a Lutheran. The mother died in Berks county.
Jonathan acquired a good education in the subscription schools of Berks county. He learned both English and German and still has in his possession the text books he used in his school days. At eleven years old he left home and became a clerk in a store in Berks county, where he remained
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until he was fifteen years old. On June 12, 1828, he located in the wilds of Dauphin county, at a small place then called Hellers- town, and which subsequently received the name of Berrysburg. His first employment was as a general clerk in the store of Mr. Uhlman, with whom he remained twelve years and five months. At the end of this period, in 1837, during the business panic of that time he embarked in business for him- self, and although the only money in circu- lation was the famous and infamous "shin plasters " of that time, he was successful in his venture and continued in business four years. During the next sixteen years he cultivated a farm of eighty-four acres, which he bought, and on which he made substantial improvements. Desiring a change of occupa- tion, he left the farm and removed to Berrys- burg, where he speculated in real estate and made loans. On account of the many and sub- stantial improvements in property made by him, he may fittingly be called the father of Berrysburg. Mr. Miller has mechanical tastes and talents and is an expert in the use of tools. He is also gifted with liter- ary ability, has a good memory, and has ac- cumulated a library of good books, valued at $1,000, and of course is deeply interested in education and all means for the intellec- tual betterment of the community, He was married, in Mifflin township, January 3, 1832, to Elizabeth Bleistine, born in that township, January 3, 1815. Their children were: Sarah A., died young; Emeline S., Mrs. Kautz; Uriah, died young. His wife died in 1882, and in 1884 he married Catherine Deibler, widow of Mr. Speck, and to this marriage there is no issue. Mr. Miller is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is retired from active business and is enjoy- ing the evening of life in a quiet and com- fortable home, cheered by the society of his wife and occupied with literature and art.
. RAKER, DR. WILLIAM, Uniontown, Pillow P. O., was born in Northumberland county, Pa., in February, 1836. John, the father, was born in the same county and was a phy- sician. He died in his native county in 1874. His wife, Elizabeth Barthomalue, was a native of the same county. Their children are: William; Katie, wife of J. Remger, coal dealer, in Northumberland county ; Elizabeth, unmarried; and Henry M., phy- ician. The father was a Democrat of the
old school, and in religious views was an old school Lutheran.
William received his primary education in Augustaville and attended the high school at Selinsgrove and the college at Gettysburg. He read medicine under his father and under Dr. Smith for two years, and was graduated from the medical college at Philadelphia in 1854. IIe shared his father's practice at home for six months and then settled at Uniontown, where he has been in practice for over forty years and has met with large success in his professional work. He was married, in Northumberland county, in 1857, to Catherine Weaver, who was born at Ber- rysburg, Pa., and they have four children : Alice G., wife of J. S. Overholzer; Ella J., wife of Prof. J. A. Eisenhaur; Clarence B., student of pharmacy; Clara, wife of J. J. Hoffman, merchant, Uniontown, Pa. His wife died November 2, 1871. He married, secondly, Emma Heller, of Easton, and they have four children : John W., Edward II., Maud, and Alvin J., all at school. Dr. Raker is a Democrat and served in the office of burgess for a number of years and also as secretary of the council. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
REED, DR. J. J., Uniontown, Pillow P. O., Pa., was born in Northumberland county, Pa., August 18, 1840. David, the father, was a native of the same county, owning and cultivating a farm of one hundred and forty acres, in connection with which he run a saw mill. He married Cath- erine Hass, of the same county. Their children are: Jacob, Mary, Eva, Susan, Lenesia, Daniel, Henry, Samuel, Dr. J. J., Harriet, Melinda, Oscar, and two children who died in infancy. The father was a Re- publican in politics and a member of the Lutheran church.
Dr. J. J. received his primary education in the public schools of his native place, and also was graduated from the high school. For four winters he taught school, and served as assistant teacher in the high school. In August, 1862, he enlisted at Harrisburg in company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, Capt. HIomer N. Jones and Colonel Allaback, and served nine months. After his discharge from the service he returned home and be- gan the study of medicine. He read under Dr. Penn and Dr. E. S. Robbins, of Shamokin, for three years, and then entered Jefferson
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Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated in 1866, after which he practiced in his native county for three years. In 1869 he came to Dauphin county and settled in Uniontown, where he has since been in prac- tice and has met with gratifying success. Dr. Reed was married, at Uniontown, in 1869, to Catherine, daughter of Dr. B. H. Laubach, of that place. Their children are : Lizzie, unmarried ; Clara, wife of Dr. Elmer Hoffman ; Arthur ; Jay E., attending school, and Vernie. His wife died in 1878, and the following year he married Addie E: Bassler, by whom he has one child, Henry, at school. Dr. Reed is a Republican in his political views, and is a school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is an elder and deacon in the same. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.
SHOOP, REV. JAMES, pastor of the United Brethren church, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Jefferson township, Dauphin county, Pa., October 17, 1840. John Shoop, the grand- father, was born in Lykens Valley and was of Swiss descent. He removed to Jackson township, where he followed farming. He married Elizabeth Cooper. They both passed away in Jackson township and both were members of the Lutheran church. In poli- ties he was an old line Whig. George, the father, was born in Jackson township in 1812. He acquired a fair education in the German schools and became a farmer, owning and cultivating a farm of two hundred acres, on which he operated extensively in raising stock. In clearing land and making a farm with all its improvements, he was a typical pioneer, and also had another characteristic of that honored class, he was a good shot and loved to hunt. He married Rachel Suer- gard, born in Armstrong Valley. Their chil- dren are: Andrew, William, James, Samuel, Elias, Philip, Ilarvey, John, Adam, Amanda, Nathan, and Emma. Mr. Shoop took an active part in political matters and was a Whig in his views. He was a member of the United Brethren church and a practical Christian, looking faithfully after the welfare of his home and family. He died in Jeffer- son township in 1864. His wife survives him and is living at Carsonville, at the ripe old age of eighty years and is still active in church matters.
James received only a limited education, as he began farm work in earnest when nine
years of age, and was employed on the home- stead until he was twenty years old, at which time he left home and worked as a farm laborer for one year, and then returned to the homestead and worked three years longer. In February, 1865, ho enlisted at Harrisburg in company H, One Hundred and Ninety- second regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, Capt. Peter Bergstresser, Col. W. W. Stewart, and spent seven months in the service, being discharged at Harper's Ferry, September, 1865. Upon returning from the army he took up the study of theology and began preaching. He was ordained to the ministry by the annual conference, met at Belleview in 1869. His first charge was the Belleview cir- cuit, and then followed Germanville, Sink- ing Springs, Pine Grove, Lykenstown mission, Valley View circuit and Allentown station, spending two years in each of these appoint- ments. He was elected presiding elder at Pine Grove conference and for five years was located at Carsonville, then he had the Avon circuit one year and Lebanon one year, after which he was elder again for five years, being elected at the Elizabethville conference, and residing at Lebanon during the term. After one year on the Valley View circuit he was stationed at Berrysburg, and has that charge at the present time. He has greatly strength- ened the charge, adding to the membership and improving the property. His preaching ability is acknowledged and his personal worth appreciated by a grateful people. Mr. Shoop was married, in Berrysburg in 1867, to Sarah A. Hoy, born in Mifflin township in 1848; daughter of Peter Hoy, farmer, in that township. Their children are: Curtin A., Emma E., Harvey E., William II., Elmer H., and Sadie. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
-STRAUB, AMOs, farmer, Berrysburg, Pa., was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., Septem- ber 14, 1836; son of John and Christina (Horne) Straub, and a brother of William Straub, farmer in Mifflin township. He at- tended subscription schools in his native township and began working on the farm when he was six years old, working with his uncle and looking after the cattle, and re- mained with him one year. He then hired to a farmer as a farm hand, working for his board and clothing, and remained in that. place on those terms for seven years. At fourteen years of age he left his employer and contracted to work for another farmer for seven to eight dollars per month, and
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remained with this man until he was twenty- one years of age. After working one year for a shoemaker, he came to his brother William and worked for him two years, and then for another farmer one year, after which he rented a small farm which he cul- tivated a year and a half, and in connection with his farming drove a coal team. He then bought a team and traded through the country for two years, after which he worked rented farms on the shares in Mifflin town- ship. On April 2, 1887, he bought forty-five acres of land owned by W. M. Switzer, and has since been engaged in farming and raising stock. He was married, in 1861, in Mifflin township, to May Delfill, a native of that township, born in 1841. Their children are : John, Edwin, Samuel S., Milton, Harvey C., deceased, David F., died young, and two children who died in infancy. In his poli- tics Mr. Straub is a Democrat. He has served as a school director, superintendent of roads one year, and as inspector of elec- tions. In religious views and fellowship he is a Lutheran.
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