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 9
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SMITH, WILSON O., grocer, was born in Lower Allen township, Cumberland county. Pa., April 21, 1843; son of John A. and
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Barbara (Sherbane) Smith, both deceased. The parents were both natives of Cumber- land county, where they spent their lives. The father died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They had seven children, four of whom are living: Catherine, widow of the late George Oyster; John A., Henry H., and Wilson O. By a subsequent mar- riage there is one son living, George Smith.
Wilson O. received his primary education in the public schools of his native township and subsequently attended the White Hall Academy in Cumberland county.
In March, 1861, he enlisted in company H, Seventh Pennsylvania volunteer reserve, which became the Thirty-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and participated in the following battles: Dramsville, Va., Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Charles City, New Market Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Plains of Manassas, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, in which last named battle he received a gun- shot wound in the breast and was confined in the hospital at Washington, D. C., for three months, from which he was discharged as convalescent June 29, 1863, and was at- tached to company B, Fourth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, as second lieuten- ant, and subsequently promoted to first lieu- tenant. He served in this regiment and position three months and was then detailed on recruiting service at Harrisburg for six months, at the expiration of which time he was promoted to captain and attached to company D, Two Hundred and First Penn- sylvania volunteers, in which position he served until the close of the war, being mustered out in 1865. After his discharge he returned to Cumberland county, where he remained at home one year, and in the spring of 1866 came to Harrisburg. He became salesman in the dry goods store of Bowman & Co., and afterwards was employed in the same capacity by Coover & Co., until July 26, 1888, at which date he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, in which he has been con- tinuously and successfully engaged since that date. Mr. Smith was married, in Har- risburg, December 16, 1869, to Miss Ange- line A. Porter, daughter of James and Isa- bella (Campbell) Porter, to whom have been born three children : Romaine A., J. Porter, and Isabella J. Mr. Smith is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, holding membership
in the Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 302, Perse- verance Chapter, No. 21, and Pilgrim Com- mandery, No. 11, of Harrisburg ; also of Har- risburg Council, R. S. E. and S. Masters ; and of State Capital Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., Harrisburg. He is also an active mem- ber of Post No. 58, G. A. R., of the Union Veteran Legion and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs. In his political views he is a staunch Republican. He and his family are members of the Pine Street Prebyterian church.
RUBY, CHARLES W., grocer, was born at Duncannon, Pa., August 22, 1843 ; son of Daniel and Rebecca Ruby, both deceased. The father was a native of Perry county, where he spent his entire life. In his earlier life he owned and operated a large tannery, and later engaged in the iron business at Duncannon, where he died. The mother was born in Lancaster and after her mar- riage resided in Perry county until her death. They had four children, three of whom are living: Margaret, wife of Col. Roswell Shortel. residing in Youngstown, Ohio; Mary, widow of Irwin Chisholm, residing in Harrisburg. and Charles W .; Augustus, died at Youngs- town, Ohio, in 1867, from the effects of dis- ease incurred while serving in the defense of his country. Charles W. was reared in his native town and received his education in the public schools. He then learned the trade of nail manufacturing with the Dun- cannon Iron and Nail Manufacturing Com- pany, and was in the service of the com- pany for over forty years. In March, 1889, he removed to Harrisburg and embarked in the grocery business, in which he has been engaged since that time. In 1863 he en- listed in company K, Third Pennsylvania volunteer artillery, in which he served for twenty-six months, and was discharged at Philadelphia, in 1865, after which he re- turned to his native town and resumed work .at his trade. Mr. Ruby was married in Wheatfield township, Perry county, March 25, 1870, to Anna J. Ebersole, daughter of John and Susanna Ebersole, both deceased. There have been born to them three chil- dren : John I., Maud H., and Mary M. Mr. Ruby is an active member of Lieut. William Allison Post, G. A. R., Duncannon, Pa. In politics he is a Republican. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
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ENDERS, I. T., grocer, 1801 North Sixth street, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Enders, Jackson township, August 31, 1843. He is a son of George and Susanna (Fetterhoff) Enders. The first of the family to settle in the county was John Enders, a German, who entered a tract of land in Jackson township, and became one of the prominent farmers of his day. He died at the age of forty-six and his son John succeeded to his estate. George Enders, son of the last-named John Enders, was born in 1809, and died in Jackson township. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church, and one of its trustees. He served as supervisor of his township. His wife died in 1882. They had sixteen children : William H., of Upper Paxton ; Uriah F., of Penbrook ; George W., of Enders; Samuel E., of Enders; I. T .; Israel, O., of Fisherville ; Sarah, Mrs. Joseph Seiders, of Williamstown ; Daniel N., of Williamstown; Benjamin F., of Enders ; Levi J., M. D., of Williamstown ; Isabella, Mrs. Joseph Knouff, of Enders ; Edward A., of Harrisburg ; four children are deceased. I. T. Enders was reared and educated in Jackson township. He was occupied in farming until about 1883, when he removed to Harrisburg and engaged in the grocery business, in which he has since continued. He enlisted, February 24, 1864, in company E, Ninth regiment, Pennsylvania cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He is a Republican. He served two terms as justice of the peace, resigning at the end of the second term to remove to Harrisburg. He was elected poor director in 1879, and re-elected in 1882. In 1894 he was elected to the board of control of Harrisburg, and has since served as a member of that body. He is chairman of the committee on sup- plies, and is also on the teachers committee. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.
He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary E., daughter of James Bowman, of Jackson township. He has three children: Rev. Emanuel A., pastor of the Presbyterian church, of Conway, Iowa, graduate of Omaha Theological Seminary ; Minnie N., wife of Harry E. Whitmover, of Harrisburg, and Robert A. Mr. Enders and his wife are members of the Reily Street United Breth- ren church.
-STEWART, JOHN M., grocer, Harrisburg, was born in Mifflin township, Cumberland county, Pa., October 9, 1844. Ile is a son of
the late John and Rebecca (Martin) Stewart. The Stewart family are of Scotch ancestry, the grandfather of John M. having been born in Scotland. He emigrated to this country at an early date and finally settled in Cumberland county, Pa., where he reared his family, and was prominently identified with the early history of the county. He was a farmer and a leading and progressive man among farmers and men of business. The mother was of Irish descent, and was born in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county. She now resides at Newville, Cumberland county. Their children are as follows: Jennie H., widow of the late Hugh Gamble, residing in Harrisburg ; John M .; Carrie R .; Laura C., wife of J. B. Livingston, of Har- risburg; Margaret L .; Nettie, wife of William Nevin ; Susan E., died December 9, 1895, wife of James M. Early, who died January 6, 1896, and Mary E., died April 25, 1881.
John M. Stewart grew to manhood in his native township. Farm work demanded so much of his time that he could only partially avail himself of school advantages. He was occupied in farming until 1871, when he re- moved to Harrisburg. He was salesman in the hardware business for four years and in the grocery business for seven years. Since June, 1892, he has successfully conducted the grocery business on his own account.
He was married in Philadelphia, Septem- ber, 1876, to Mary A., daughter of the late Johnston and Sarah Stevenson. They have no children. Mr. Stewart is an active mem- ber of the Knights of St. John and Malta, No. 106, of Harrisburg, and of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. His political views have always been Republican, but he votes for men rather than for party. He and his wife are members of the Covenant Pres- byterian church.
-ALTHOUSE, REUBEN H., grocer, was born in Berks county, Pa., February 3, 1845; son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Herbine) Alt- house, natives of Berks county. The father came to Dauphin county in the spring of 1845, and engaged in farming in Susque- hanna township. He was a prominent member of the Reformed church. His death occurred April 16, 1861, and that of his wife in 1880. They reared three chil- dren : Reuben HI .; Ella, unmarried, and George B., of Philadelphia. Reuben HI., was reared on the farm in Susquehanna township and attended the district school of
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the locality. After the death of his father he conducted the farm, and also took up the dairy business, in which he continued four- teen years. In 1881 he removed to Bedford, Monroe county, Mich., and was there en- gaged in farming for seven years, after which he returned to Harrisburg, and in 1888 established his present business. He holds membership in the Odd Fellows fra- ternity, and in the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In politics he is a Republican, and while in Michigan, served six years aş a school trustee. Mr. Althouse was married, in 1866, to Miss Frances Rudy, daughter of Joseph Rudy, of Harrisburg, and to them have been born eight children: Frank, drug- gist, in Harrisburg; Carrie; Harry B .; R. Edward, with his brother R. H .; Frances (Mrs. George Swab), of. Harrisburg; Joseph, Ella and Delanor. Mr. Althouse is a mem- ber of the German Reformed church.
--- LANGLOTZ, MARTIN, merchant, was born in the province of Saxony, September 9, 1846. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Langlotz. His parents came to this country when he was nine years old, and, after living one year in Boston, removed to Allegany county, Md., where they spent the remainder of their lives. They are both deceased. They had nine children.
Martin Langlotz spent his early life in the Maryland home and attended the free schools of his adopted country. In 1872 he removed to Harrisburg, where for the past twenty-four years he has conducted a grocery, provision and notion store. Amid the numerous changes which have taken place among the business men and firms of Harrisburg, Mr. Langlotz has held steadily on his way. His continuance in business with growing suc- cess demonstrates his business ability and the solidity of his character. He was mar- ried, in York county, Pa., to Katherine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Boesch, natives of Germany, and residents of York, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Langlotz have had two children, one of whom died in infancy. The living child is Bransby F. In political views Mr. Langlotz holds with the Democratic party. He attends the Lutheran church.
-LIKEN, THOMAS, was born in Coleraine, county Derry, Ireland, February 7, 1847. Ile is a son of the late Thomas and Letitia (Hill) Liken. The elder Thomas Liken was also a native of Coleraine. When a young
man, before railroads were constructed, he was engaged in carrying freight to Belfast by dray. He afterwards became a whole- sale dealer in provisions, and in his later years had his son Oliver as his partner in the business. His political views were Demo- cratic. He was a member of the Presbyte- rian church. He died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, Letitia Hill, also a native of Coleraine, died at the age of forty-three. They had nine children, of whom seven are living : William, John, Thomas, Margaret, Matilda, Mary and Oliver.
Thomas Liken, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of the family. He attended the schools of his native town until he was thirteen years old, and received a very fair education. In 1860 he took a position as assistant clerk in the Coleraine market. After this he was employed by two Scotch- men, George and James Rogerson, in their grocery store. He remained with them one year, and then accepted a place with Mr. Irvin in the business of shipping butter and eggs. He was in this situation for a num- ber of years. His next employment was with Mr. Huey, shipper of all kinds of grain, with whom he remained for a few years.
In 1867 he came to America to visit his brothers, who were in business as bakers and confectioners. His brother, John H., admit- ted him to partnership, which lasted several years. Upon its dissolution he went to New York City and established himself in the grocery business, which he carried on for a number of years. At the earnest solicitation of J. A. Slentz, of Harrisburg, dealer in flour and feed, he closed out his business in New York and returned to Harrisburg as book- keeper and salesman for Mr. Slentz. At the end of six months he bought out the busi- ness of Mr. Slentz and removed to his pres- ent location, 1322 North Sixth street, where he now deals in groceries, confectionery and flour and feed. He is successful in business, and is highly esteemed by all who know him as a man of worth and enterprise. Mr. Liken is director in various associations in Harrisburg. He is chairman of the build- ing committee of Bloomington, Ill., and is very highly regarded by the committee. In Ireland he was connected with several socie- ties. His political views are Democratic.
Mr. Liken has been twice married. By the first marriage he had two children: Mary, who died at the age of four months
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and six days, and William H., who died, aged two months and thirteen days. Mr. Liken's second wife was Miss Eliza, daughter of Casper H. and Mary L. Dustman, of Get- tysburg, Pa. He is a consistent member of Pine Street Presbyterian church and be- longs to James McCormick's Bible class. In his native country Mr. Liken taught a large Bible class.
KEENEY, MARTIN L., grocer, Harrisburg, was born in Tuscarora township, Bradford county, Pa., August 23, 1848. He is a son of the late Luther and Arletta (Camp) Keeney. He was brought up on the farm and edu- cated at the district schools in his township. He was engaged until 1892 in farming in Tuscarora township, where he still owns a well cultivated farm. In 1892 he sought a change of residence and occupation. He re- linquished farming and came to Harrisburg, and in January, 1896, embarked in the grocery business in that city.
Mr. Keeney was married, October 15, 1873, to Isabella C., daughter of William and Mary (Watson) Bergstresser, referred to in another place in this volume. They have one son, William Luther.
Mr. Keeney has served as town commis- sioner, school director, and inspector of Tus- carora township. He is a member of Wyom- ing Lodge, No. 238, K. of P., of Wyoming county, Pa. In his political views he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of Zion Lutheran church.
- STUDEBAKER, CLEMENT, was born in Fair- view township, York county, Pa., December 26, 1851. He is a son of the late Jacob and Nancy (Mohler) Studebaker. Jacob Stude- baker was born in Adams county, Pa. He was a farmer. For some years after his mar- riage he lived in Cumberland county, Pa., but returned to York county and spent the remainder of his life. He died in Fairview township, York county, July 20, 1855. He married Nancy Mohler, of Cumberland county, who survives him and resides in Har- risburg. One of their nine children died in infancy. The others are: Daniel, died July 12, 1855; Sarah, wife of Dr. Simon Landis, of Lancaster, Pa., died May 29, 1854; John, residing in Minneapolis, Minn .; Eliz- abeth, wife of Samuel Flickinger, of Harris- burg ; Henry, died March 8. 1867 ; Nancy, Harrisburg; Jacob, living in Salt Lake City, and Clement.
Clement Studebaker spent his youth in his native township. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of fourteen. In 1865 he removed with his parents to Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he completed his education in the Cumberland Valley Insti- tute of that place. He first made an engage- ment as traveling salesman, which continued until 1872. In February of that year he engaged in the grocery business in Harris- burg, which he has successfully conducted since that time. He is one of the solid busi- ness men of the city.
He was married in Harrisburg, January 9, 1887, to Margaret, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Ebersole) Barnes. They have no children. Mr. Studebaker belongs to the Harrisburg Board of Trade. He is an active member of the Heptasophs. In political views he is a straight Republican. He and his wife attend the Pine Street Presbyterian church.
ORTH, FRED. J., was born in Harrisburg, January 6, 1854; son of Leonard and Bar- bara (Schlayer) Orth. Both parents are na- tives of Germany and came in their child- hood to Harrisburg. The father was a car- penter, and worked at his trade until his death in 1879. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and an active worker in all branches of religious and benevolent enterprises. The mother is still living and in good health, at the age of seventy-seven years, residing in the farmhouse in which she lived for forty-five years. They had eleven children. Those living are : Henry, wife of Christian Morganthaler, of Harris- burg; Charles; Margaret; J. Fred. and Henry, twins, the latter secretary to the superin- tendent of the Danville Insane Asylum; George L .; Rebecca, a teacher in the IIarris- burg public schools; and J. Andrew, postal clerk on the Pennsylvania railroad. J. Fred. was reared and educated in his native city, where he spent his life. When thirteen years of age he began business as a clerk in a general store, and after four years of this ser- vice became an apprentice in the trade of printer in the State printing office, where he worked for eleven years. In 1884 he em- barked in the grocery business, which he has conducted for eleven years with gratify- ing success, securing a large and profitable trade. Mr. Orth was married. in Harris- burg, March 23, 1881, to Miss Nellie Spicer, daughter of Charles A, and Nancy Spicer, to
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whom has been born one son, Charles L. felfinger, the former a native of Dauphin, Mr. Orth is a member of the Heptasophs, and in his political views is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Salem Reformed church, in which he is an elder and the superintendent of the Sunday-school.
FISHER, WESLEY, grocer, was born in Yocumtown, York county, Pa., May 23, 1855; son of Martin and Leah (Spangler) Fisher, natives of that county. The father was a farmer in York county, and was of German ancestry. The family has lived in the Fishing Creek Valley over a hundred years. David Fisher, their ancestor, was one of the original owners of the canal. Wesley was reared in York county and edu- cated in the township schools and in the Millersville State Normal School. He spent one year in California, but not being pleased with the country returned to Harrisburg and clerked in a grocery store. In 1879 he es- tablished a business in that line of his own on Ninth street. He purchased the property of George W. Brinton, on the corner of Race and Dock streets, where he conducted business five years, after which he sold the property to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in business. He returned the same year and established himself in his present location, No. 128 Dock street, and has since continued in business at that place. Mr. Fisher is a Republican and was elected member of the school board from the First ward in 1892, and elected for a second term to the same office in 1895, serving in the board on the finance and teachers committees. He is a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M .; Perseverance Chapter, No. 21; Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia; and is also a member of John Harris Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Harrisburg. Mr. Fisher was married, in 1884, to Miss Lottie Winand, daughter of William Winand, of Harrisburg. Their children are: Daisy W., Mary E., Charles Wesley, Clarence, deceased, Pearl E., and Clyde E. The family are mem- bers of the Vine Street Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Fisher has served on the board of stewards and as superintendent and assistant superintendent of the Sunday- school.
-HEFFELFINGER, EDWARD A., grocer, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., August 18, 1855; son of David and Maria (Auginbaugh) Hef-
and the latter a native of Lebanon county, of German ancestry. The father was a cab- inet maker and noted for his superior work- manship. The parents removed to Harris- burg in 1859, and were continuous residents of the city until their death. They had thirteen children, three of whom died in childhood, five died shortly after reaching maturity and five are living: Catherine, wife of W. B. Allen, residing in Martinsville, Clark county, Ill .; Mary, wife of Benjamin Brightbill, residing in Harrisburg; Annie, widow of the late John Belford, residing in Renovo, Pa .; David H., and Edward A. Ed- ward A. was reared to manhood in Harris- burg and received his education in the city schools. He began business for himself, when he was twelve years old, as a newsboy and subsequently learned the trade of printer in the office of B. F. Meyers. After completing his apprenticeship he worked four years as a journeyman in the State printing office and then relinquished his trade and on February 19, 1881, embarked in the grocery business, in which he has been successfully engaged for fifteen years, having for the past three years occupied his new and convenient quarters. Mr. Heffel- finger was married in Harrisburg, August 15, 1878, to Sarah E. Garverich, daughter of Eliasand Rebecca (Orth) Garverich, to whom have been born two children: Edna Ger- trude and Ruth Minerva. In his political views he is a Republican and has served on the school board. He is a member of Rob- ert Burns Lodge, No. 464, F. & A. M. Ile and his wife are members of Christ Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee and leader of the choir.
- HARRIS, SAMUEL H., grocer, Harrisburg, was born near Duncannon, Perry county, Pa., December 23, 1855. He is a son of Cas- tleberry and Catherine (Carns) Harris. His parents were born in Perry county, and were of Scotch and Irish ancestry. The father was a prosperous farmer; he died October 25, 1879, aged seventy-two. His wife sur- vives him, and resides on the homestead farm in Perry county ; she was born Janu- ary 10, 1820. They had six children, four of whom are living: (1) Mary J., born Sep- tember 1, 1846, wife of George K. Jones, of Harrisburg ; they were married in Duncan- non, December 24, 1872, and have two chil- dren, Arthur, born October 29, 1873, died
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June 30, 1891, and Burt Andrews, born July 15, 1876; (2) Gainor S., born November 24, 1848, died December 24, 1889; (3) Hannah A., born February 2, 1851, widow of the late George Lickle, of Perry county; they were married in Bloomfield, Perry county, and have three children, Clara Jane, George Cas- key, and Chester Harris; (4) Samuel H .; (5) David C., born September 13, 1859, retail shoe dealer of Duncannon ; he married Miss Carrie Froehlich, December 27, 1892; they have one child, Mabel F., born March 27, 1896; (6) a son who died in infancy, un- named. This Harris family is supposed to be descended from the founder of Harris- burg.
Samuel H. Harris was reared a farmer boy in a comfortable home, enjoying the ad- vantages of a good district school during winter months. He was engaged in farm- ing until he was nineteen. He learned car- pentry, and followed his trade until 1888. Since April 1 of that year he has been in his present business.
He was married, in Duncannon, January 14, 1886, to Gertrude E., daughter of John and Margaret E. (Thompson) Beck, born in Luthersburg, Clearfield county, Pa., August 9, 1868. They have three children : Clar- ence D., born February 2, 1887; Merle Francis, February 25, 1892; and Ethel Kathryn, January 9, 1895.
Mr. Harris is liberal in his political views. He and his wife are members of the Cove- nant Presbyterian church.
John Beck, the father of Mrs. Harris, was born in Centre county, Pa., May 7, 1824, and is of German ancestry. , He was an under- taker and a prominent resident of Luthers- .burg for many years; but for the past twelve years he has been an honored resident of Perry county. His wife, Margaret Thomp- son, was born in Clearfield county, Septem- ber 25, 1829, and died in Luthersburg, where she had spent her life, October 9, 1874. They had five children, three of whom are living : Boyd Quigle ; Clarissa A., wife of Stewart Council, died March 11, 1877, leaving five children ; Mary Ellen, died in infancy ; George W., and Gertrude Emma, Mrs. Har- ris.
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