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 78
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Mr. Musser was active and influential in organizing and incorporating the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, of which he is one of the directors. Mr. Musser was formerly a Whig, and is now a staunch Republican. He takes a deep interest in all public busi- ness. In 1858 he was elected county com-
missioner of Dauphin county for three years. He was the only Republican in the board until Mr. Beam was elected in 1859. Mr. Musser was an earnest advocate of the plan of building a new court house, and to his wise and energetic support of the project its success is largely due. He has served several terms as burgess of Millersburg, and in other borough offices. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace, and has filled numerous township offices. Mr. Musser be- longs to Syrian Commandery, No. 133, A. O. of K. of M., at Millersburg. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Musser is now enjoying the fruits of his honorable business activity in earlier years, and he is surrounded by those who cordially wish him long life and happiness.
FRANK, HENRY, carpenter and contractor, was born in Upper Paxton township, Dan- phin county, Pa., January 19, 1824; son of John and Elizabeth (Meck) Frank. His pa- ternal great-grandfather, whose surname was Neighbor, was of Huguenot descent. He owned the mill and water power where the electric light plant of Millersburg now stands. His family consisted of four daugh- ters, one of whom was married to John Frank, another to David Frank, and the other two daughters married brothers by the name of Sandoe. John Frank, father of Henry Frank, was born in Upper Paxton township, October 20, 1796, and died Octo- ber 12, 1870. His wife, Elizabeth Meck, was born in 1800, and died in May, 1857. They had four children : George W., married Elizabeth Hoover, and had seven children ; Henry; Nathaniel and Catherine, twins; Nathaniel died in infancy, but Catherine is still living; she married Henry Knouff, and was left a widow with two children, John and Frank. Mr. John Frank served as a sol- dier in the war of 1812 under Captain Fetter- hoff and Colonel Ritchie. He was among the militia drafted in 1814. Mr. John Meck. maternal grandfather of Henry Frank, was of German ancestry, and was a prominent farmer and miller in Upper Paxton town- ship. He had four children besides Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Frank.
Henry Frank first attended the neighbor- ing subscription schools, and wassubsequently a pupil in the public schools. He worked with his father at various occupations until 1840, when he went to Millersburg to learn carpentry with John Frank, his father's
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cousin. He remained there until August of the same year, when he went to Harrisburg, and became an apprentice to the same trade with Alexander Hamilton and Jacob Reed. After an apprenticeship of three years he was employed by Mr. Hamilton as a journey- man, from the month of August until the following May. He then returned to his native town and began business as carpenter on his own account. The first house he built is the one in which henow resides. He also built the large house on the corner of Union and Race streets, the present residence of Hon. Mr. Bowman. Among other important structures erected by him are the large building on the northeast corner of Market and Center streets, now used as a store and halls; the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal church, and other buildings. Mr. Frank was actively engaged as a practical builder until 1875, and later erected a number of large buildings in Millersburg.
Mr. Frank was largely influential in the establishment of the Millersburg Bank, was one of the original stockholders, and has been and is at present one of the directors of the bank. He was also actively interested in the establishment of the Millersburg Agricultural Works, of which he became the treasurer in 1886. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served as burgess and filled other borough offices, the most important of which is that of school director; he was in the board for six consecutive years, and at a later time served a term of three years, filling the office of president for five years, and serving one year as treasurer.
Mr. Frank was married, February 11, 1851, to Mary B., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Light) Eberly. Two of their six children are deceased : Laura, born February 25, 1852, died July 6, 1882; Mary E., born May 31, 1856, died April 6, 1857. Their living chil- dren are: Simon P., born October 19, 1853; John N., May 1, 1858, married Sarah Wom- baugh, who died September 26, 1895, had two children, Maud W. and James T .; Emma E., December 9, 1861; Miriam D., January 7, 1869. Mr. Frank joined Perseverance Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., at Millersburg, in 1849, and in point of seniority is the third on the list of its members. He and his family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Frank began business at the bottom round of the ladder, and has by ability and persever- ance climbed it rung by rung. Ile has in all his course been self-reliant and persistent,
wisely depending on his own resources and always putting forth his best efforts. He may enjoy his accumulated competency with the utmost satisfaction, and take great pleasure in the respect and good will accorded him by his neighbors.
John Eberly, father of Mrs. Frank, was born November 21, 1799, and died January 22, 1875. His wife died in 1842. They were the parents of two sons and five daughters.
-KRAMER, GEORGE W., ferryman, was born at Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pa., corner of North and Water streets, August 12, 1829; son of David and Sophia Kramer, both de- ceased.
George W. Kramer was first taught in the subscription schools of his town, and later attended the public schools at Millersburg. It was, however, only in the winter that he could take time to secure an education, for at other seasons his father needed his as- sistance on the farm, and he was always a willing and capable helper. At the age of sixteen his school days were ended and a change came in his occupation. By pur- chasing at sheriff's sale, December 3, 1825, his father acquired possession of the ferry, for which he paid the sum of $98. George was now old enough to be a valuable as- sistant to his father on the boat, and was from that time steadily employed in this way. Finally, in 1859, George W. and his brother, Joseph E. Kramer, succeeded their father in the ownership of the ferry, which they conducted jointly until 1880. George W. Kramer then sold his interest and has since been in various occupations.
Mr. Kramer was married, December 29, 1859, to Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Noll) Rhoads. Their children are : Sarah Emma ; Samuel Carson, married Eliz- abeth Forney; Susan Alice; Harry Irvin, married Ole Greenawalt, and has three chil- dren : Charlotte Catherine, George Henry, and Edward; Tra, died March 27, 1869; Lizzie Ettie; Minnie Myrtle; Mary Savilla, wife of George W. Kline.
Mr. Kramer is a Republican and has served one term as supervisor of the borough. The family attend the Grace United Evan- gelical church.
SEAL, JOHN BENJAMIN, first saw the light of day on the 1st day of March, 1847. Ilc was born and brought up on a farm in Upper Paxton township, one mile northeast
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of Millersburg, on the same premises where both his father and grandfather lived all their lives. He had a natural fondness for study and was a regular attendant at the district school during the winter months when his services were not required on the farm. His advantages for education were limited, but he managed to attend a private school for several terms in addition to an average of about three months in the year at public school until he arrived at the age of eighteen when he began teaching. He followed the profession seven years, at the same time pursuing his studies at the Mil- lersville State Normal School. He taught three terms in his native district, had charge of the grammar department of the public schools of Millersburg, and was for one term principal of the high school. He also organ- ized a private school, known as the West Bangor Select School, in York county, and laid the foundation for a flourishing private institution of learning which has since sent forth into the world many young men and women who now occupy prominent positions in life, including all the professions. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Seal abandoned teaching and engaged in the printing and stationery busi- ness in Millersburg. Two years later he established the Millersburg Herald, of which he is still editor and publisher. With regard to his newspaper project, although it is not the financial success which his efforts war- ranted, he has the satisfaction of knowing that its influence has been potent for good in the community and has proved one of the most effective agencies in promoting the best interests of the town, commercially, in- tellectually, and morally. In public affairs, politics, and questions of local interest the Herald has always taken advanced positions ; it has been a fearless exponent of true prin- ciples and a consistent advocate of its con- victions.
Mr. Seal is a descendant of a line of an- cestry distinguished for industry, frugality and sterling 'integrity, and having been reared on the farm he had abundant oppor- tunity to develop those qualities inherited from his forefathers. His great-grandfather, Henry Seal, was one of those sons whose father was among the pioneers of Lykens Valley, having settled there when wild beasts inhabited its primeval forests and the In- dians had possession of the land. Henry Scal was born October 16, 1770, and died December 21, 1827. His wife Catherine
was born April 7, 1779, and died May 29, 1842. Both are buried at David's Reformed church, near Killinger, where also repos" the remains of J. Benjamin Seal's grand- parents on the paternal side. John HI. Seal, the grandfather of John Benjamin, was born March 14, 1797, and died January 12, 1877. He was one of a large family of children, nearly all of whom emigrated to what was then known as the far West, locating in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, their offspring being scattered now throug !! all parts of the Union. He remained on the old homestead and reared a family of twelve children, being twice married. Four chil- dren survive: Sallie, married to Uriah Miller; Katie A., Daniel, and John W. Ile died at the ripe age of seventy-seven years, all of which he spent on the same farm.
Josiah Seal, father of John Benjamin, was born May 5, 1820, and died March 9, 1892. He was married to Elizabeth Musser, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Frances Musser, the oldest of a family of sixteen children, of whom Catherine, wife of Benneville Boyer ; Anna L., wife of Isaac Lloyd ; and John S., Henry D., Joseph R., and Josiah A. Musser survive. The mother, Elizabeth (Musser) Seal, was born January 8, 1826, and died August 13, 1889. This happy union of over forty years was blessed with six children : Frances L., married to Addison J. Haver- stick ; John B .; Emma V., married to II. Frank Sheetz; and George L .; these are living. Sarah A. and James A. died in their youth, Sarah at the age of sixteen, and James aged nineteen. Mrs. Elizabeth Scal sprang from a large and influential Cumber- land county family. John Benjamin Seal was named for his grandfather, John II. Seal, and Benjamin Musser. He was united in marriage to Bertha Adilla Freek, Decem- ber 23, 1879. Two children are the fruits of this marriage : Esther Lucretia, aged fifteen, and Eugene Freck, aged thirteen.
He has always taken an active interest in public affairs. His voice and pen are ever ready to assist in every enterprise or move- ment intended to promote the welfare of private individuals or for the public good. He is a useful member of society, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Ifis profession has naturally brought him into public prominence. In 18St he was nominated by the Republicans of Dauphin county for the Pennsylvania Legislature, and in November of that year was elected to
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that office by a large majority. At the ex- piration of his term of office he returned to his editorial work, and on the 9th day of February, 1891, was commissioned postmas- ter of Millersburg for a term of four years by President Harrison, in recognition of his political services and at the request of his fellow-townsmen. At the February election in 1896 he was elected a member of the Millersburg school board, and is now presi- dent of that body.
HOLTZMAN, DAVID K., retired farmer, 'was born near Berrysburg, Mifflin township, Dauphin county, Pa., November 26, 1836; son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Koppen- haver) Holtzman. His grandfather, George Hoitzman, married Elizabeth Lebo. Their children are: Peter, never married, died aged seventy-six years; John, died aged eighty-one, was twice married, and had one child, Sarah, who died aged sixty-one or sixty-two; his second wife was Elizabeth Weaver, and they had seven children; Jona- than; Jacob, died aged twenty-five years; Maria, married Jonathan Novinger, had six children ; Sallie, married Philip Lenker, had six sons and six daughters; and Eliza- beth, married Daniel Haak, had four sons and one daughter. Mr. George Holtzman died aged about sixty-seven years, and his wife died aged about seventy-eight. Jona- than Holtzman, father of David K., died in 1881. He had a family of five children : Mary, married Isaac App, of Snyder county, Pa .; Jonathan B., died aged twenty-three years; Edward, died aged two years; David K .; and Elizabeth, wife of William Straub. Mr. Holtzman, in his second marriage, was united to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Schwab) Weaver, of Mifflin town- ship; they had one child, Henry.
David K. Holtzman attended the Mifflin township subscription schools until he was twelve years old, after which, until he was seventeen, he attended the public school. IIe then studied for two terms in the Semi- nary at Berrysburg, and by this course qualified himself for teaching. His first work as a teacher was done at Uniontown, in his native township, not far either from Berrysburg or from his home, where he had a school for three terms. During this time occurred the death of Mary, his wife. After this event he studied one term at the Selins- grove Seminary, and then resumed teaching at the old Fisher's schoolhouse in Monroe
township, Snyder county, Pa .; he was en- gaged there for five consecutive terms, having by his skillful and successful man- agement of the school established a wide reputation as an able instructor. After this he removed to Anderson's Creek, Clearfield county, Pa., and entered the employ of Charles Blanchard in the capacity of book- keeper and lumber scaler. He was called from this position, after nine months' ser- vice, by the illness of his father, with whom he remained and carried on one of his farms for a year. He then bought the old homestead in Washington township, for- merly owned by his grandfather, George Holtzman, who was among the first settlers in Lykens Valley. In connection with his farming operations on the homestead Mr. Holtzman also sold agricultural implements in Dauphin and adjacent counties. In 1884 he retired from active farming and removed to Millersburg, where, in the following year, he built the spacious and beautiful dwelling which has since that time been his resi- dence. In the same year, 1885, he engaged in the insurance business, in which he con- tinued until 1893.
From the time that he was about twenty years of age until 1882 Mr. Holtzman gave instructions in vocal music, and became well and widely known as an able and suc- cessful teacher of that branch. Mr. Holtz- man was married to Mary, daughter of Aaron and Catherine (Schwenk) Mattis. Their children are: Emma L. and Charles Franklin. Mr. Holtzman was married again, December 25, 1874, to Maggie, daughter of David and Margaret Neagley. Their children are: Ottilia Corbula, born March 13, 1876; Charles Franklin, married Sarah Koppenhaver, and has two children: May Edna, aged nine, and Grace, aged five years. Mr. Holtzman is a Democrat. He has served as school director of his native township for three consecutive years. The family attend the Lutheran church.
FEIDT, GEORGE, shoemaker and farmer, was born in Upper Paxton township, Dau- phin county, Pa., June 7, 1832 ; son of John and Mary Ann (Will) Feidt. He bears the name of his great-grandfather, George Feidt, who came from England and settled in Up- per Paxton township; had issue: George, John, Abraham, and Peter Feidt. Ilis eldest son, George Feidt, was born June 6, 1771, married Rachel Snyder, who was born Feb-
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ruary 2, 1770; their children were: John, George, Daniel, Catherine, Peter, and Thomas. George Feidt (2), died August 30, 1829, and his wife April 25, 1836. Their eldest son, John Feidt, father of George Feidt (3), was born August 18, 1798, and died November 12, 1854, aged about fifty-five; his wife, Mary Ann Will, was born April 1, 1800, and died aged about seventy-three, on January 18, 1874. They had five children : Sarah, wife of Jonas Wise; Catherine, wife of Hiram Bulse; Elizabeth, wife of John Buffington ; George, and Mary C.
George Feidt was educated in the public schools of his native township, which he at- tended during part of each year until he at- tained the age of eighteen years, when he began to learn shoemaking with Abraham Snyder, at Berrysburg, Pa. Upon the com- pletion of an apprenticeship of two and a half years, he decided that his trade would not be the best occupation for him, and turned his attention to farming, taking a farm in Upper Paxton township which he cultivated for three years. For the ensuing years he resumed his trade and worked as a journeyman shoemaker. Finding the occu- pation agreeable and profitable, Mr. Feidt embarked in a business of his own, opening a shop in Upper Paxton township, where he carried on the business until he entered the United States army.
He enlisted October 30, 1862, at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, in company I, One Hun- dred and Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania vol- unteers, Capt. Benjamin Evitts, Col. George B. Wiestling. Mr. Feidt served his term of enlistment and was discharged at Harris- burg, August 5, 1863, after which he went home and worked at his trade until the opening of the following year. He then de- termined to unite his two occupations of shoemaking and farming, and the results of the experiment were so satisfactory that he continued the plan for eleven years. At the end of that time he sold the farm, and gave his attention to the trade alone for the next five years. In 1880 he took up farming again, and continued in agricultural pur- suits until 1892, when he exchanged the farm for the homestead he now occupies, and retired from active business.
Mr. Feidt was married, August 10, 1871, to Sarah, daughter of Michael and Rachel (Alleman) Barnhart. Mr. and Mrs. Foidt have no children. On January 14, 1891, the name of Mr. Feidt was enrolled on the
honorable list of United States pensioners. Mr. Feidt is a Republican. He and his wife attend the Lutheran church. Mr Feidt is a quiet, unassuming man, always agreeable in manner, and always punctual in business, and faithful in all the relations of life. He is respected by his neighbors and is es- teemed as an excellent citizen and a consist- ent Christian.
JOHNSON, JOSEPHI M., contractor, was born at 'Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pa., May 1, 1847 ; son of John and Melvina (Freck) Johnson. His grandfather, John Johnson. Sr., had three children : Mary, Ann, and John. John Johnson, Jr., father of Joseph M. Johnson, was one of the first locomotive engineers on the Reading railroad, and met his death November 8, 1848, while in the employ of that company. During a strike his fireman was attacked by rioters, and, going to his rescue, Mr. Johnson received a blow from a stick of wood which inflicted upon him a fatal injury. His death occurred in his twenty-eighth year. His wife is still living. They had two children : Joseph M. and Mary ; the latter died at Millersburg, aged about nine years. Mrs. Johnson was married again, to S. H. Longabach. Their children are: Ella, born November 20, 1856, wife of Carson Jensen ; Sophelia, born June 5, 1858, wife of Frank Bowers ; Samuel New- ton, born July 17, 1859, married Lizzie Baker ; John Luther, born November 22, 1860, died aged nine months ; Emma Eliza- beth, born February 22, 1861, wife of Charles Seal ; Loretta Venona, born September 22, 1863, wife of Harry Freeborn.
Joseph M. Johnson lost his father when he was but eighteen months old, and was sent to his grandfather, Matthias Freck, who lived at Millersburg, Pa. There he was kindly cared for and reared, and was kept in the public schools of the place until he was twelve years of age. He was of much service to his mother, who married again after Mr. Johnson's death. In 1858, when he was but twelve, he started out to make his own living, not because he had no home, for there was room and employment for him both in his grandfather's and his mother's home; but he was independent and self- reliant and preferred to be under obliga- tions to no one but himself. For the first two years he found employment with the Minehill Railroad Company, in Schuylkill county, making his home with his mother.
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After this he was for one season a driver on the Schuylkill canal, from Pottsville to Philadelphia and New York; he then re- turned to the employ of the Minchill Rail- road Company, in which he remained until September 10, 1862.
At this date Mr. Johnson enlisted in the United States army, at Schuylkill Haven, in company K, One Hundred and Twenty- seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, under Captain Fox and Col. W. W. Jennings, of Harrisburg, for nine months. Dur- ing his term of enlistment he participated in the first battle of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, and other minor engagements, and was discharged from the service May 29, 1863 ; he returned to his mother, then living at Gordon, Schuylkill county. After serving a short time in the Twenty-seventh cavalry company, State militia, he enlisted, February 1, 1864, in the three years' service, joining company F, One Hundred and Six- teenth Pennsylvania volunteers, under Capt. George Reber and Col. St. Clair Mulholland. During this term of service he took part in the battles of the Wilderness, lasting seven days ; Dodal's Tavern, Va .; Poe River, Va .; and Spottsylvania, where he was wounded by the fragment of a shell by the explosion of which seven of his comrades were in- stantly killed. Mr. Johnson was discovered among the dead by a lieutenant of company G of his regiment, who rescued him from his exposed position and had him conveyed to the field hospital. He was disabled by this wound, and was detained in the hospital about three months ; when discharged from the hospital he rejoined his regiment, then at City Point, Va. He was in the engage- ments before Petersburg up to the time of its surrender, and in all other fights up to the close of the war.
After his discharge from the service Mr. Johnson went to Millersburg, Pa., whither Mr. and Mrs. Longabach had removed from Gordon. Here he entered the employ of II. C. Frick & Co. as a laborer, but by industry, skill and fidelity soon won promotion and was made superintendent of their working- men in Centre and Cameron counties, who were engaged in cutting and preparing their timber for shipment. He was in this posi- tion about four years, during which time he was greatly aided by his faithful wife, who kept house and took the lumbermen to board, and in this way contributed no small amount to the family income. In 1873 Mr.
Johnson bought Kramer's ferry, at Millers- burg, which he operated in his own indi- vidual right until 1877, when he disposed of it. His next enterprise was the manufacture of staves for nail kegs, at Millersburg, in which he continued up to 1885. He then sold his interest in the factory and returned to the superintendency of the lumber opera- tions of H. C. Frick & Co., in Cameron county. This engagement lasted only one year, at the end of which he returned to Millersburg and became interested in the manufacture of barrel staves.
Some time after this Mr. Johnson took up the business of contracting, which he carried on alone until 1892. He then associated himself with the promoters and builders of water works, first at Millersburg, and subse- quently at Mifflintown, Patterson, Steelton, and Womelsdorf, Berks county ; he is at present active in the projection of similar improvements in other places.
Joseph M. Johnson was married, Novem- ber 18, 1867, to: Mary Ellen, daughter of David and Catherine (Bush) Etien. They have eight children: Harry William, born December 19, 1868, married Lizzie Douden, has one child, Ray Edison, born October 5, 1895; Samuel Sylvester, born October 11, 1871, married Carrie Hall; Mark Edgar, born November 27, 1873; John Newton, December 20, 1877 ; Mary Catherine E., No- vember 3, 1879; Luke Etien, December 4, 1882; Joseph Mathias, June 10, 1885 ; and Martha Melvina, September 14, 1888.
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