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 97

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901. cn; Dudley, Adolphus S. 4n; Huber, Harry I. 4n; Schively, Rebecca H. 4n; J.M. Runk & Company. 4n
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. : J.M. Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180


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 97


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Colonel Jones enlisted at Harrisburg in June, 1863, in company D, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania volunteers, Captain Pell and Colonel Jennings, for three months' service. Hle was discharged in September, 1863, at Harrisburg.


Ile was married, in 1852, to Annie Shan- non, born in Palo Alto, Schuylkill county, in 1831, daughter of Philip Shannon, a na- tive of the State and a railroad man. Their


children are : Elsie, wife of . D. W. Day, rail- road conductor, residing at Millersburg, has four children, two deceased; Katie, deceased : Georgiana, wife of Albert Yeader, miner, Lykens, Pa .; Harriet, John E., and William Iloward, all deceased ; Benjamin Franklin. railroad man ; Victoria W., deceased; Bertha Nevada, deceased, wife of William Lehman, also deceased.


Colonel Jones is one of the original Re- publicans of Dauphin county. He was for- merly a Whig. He has served as school di- rector. In 1869 he was a candidate on the Independent ticket, opposing Hon. Donald Cameron, and owing to his personal popu- larity he gave that distinguished statesman and politician a close fight, polling a very large vote. Workingmen recognize him as one of their number, in sympathy with them and a safe leader and counsellor. Al- though of foreign blood and birth he is a thorough and loyal American, deprecating all separation of citizens into classes and par- ties by any line of political, social or re- ligious rank, and in favor of all measures that will develop a broad and genuine Americanism. Colonel Jones is the sole sur- vivor of the charter members of Wieonisco Lodge, No. 535, I. O. O. F., at Lykens. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lykens and the organizer of its Sunday-school. He is in good health and presents a fine example of an active and useful life crowned by a comfortable and happy age.


- KEISER, HENRY, supply clerk, Lykens Valley Coal Company, was born at Gratz, Pa., October 26, 1840. His father, Daniel Keiser, was born in Mahanoy Valley. Schuylkill county, Pa., in 1821, and was of German descent. He attended the subserip- tion schools of the county, and learned the trade of tanning. He continued working at that trade in Centre and Dauphin coun- ties until 1850. In that year he bought a hotel at Lykens and conducted it for some years. He then bought an eighty-acre farm near Wiconisco, now owned by the heirs of A. F. Engbert, and cultivated it for a few vears. In 1866 he sold this farm and bought another, containing eighty-seven aeres, in Williams township. On this farm he made extensive and valuable improve- ments, building a fine residence, barn and outhouses, planting an orchard, making roads, etc., at an expense of $11,000. Ile


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also owned a saw mill, manufactured and dealt in lumber, with which he supplied the mines, and manufactured powder in the Glen Valley. Mr. Daniel Keiser was a Re- publican ; he represented Dauphin county in the State Legislature from 1863 to 1865. He married Elizabeth Matter, born in Ly- kens Valley in 1820. They had eight chil- dren : Henry ; Maria, wife of Joseph Dun- lap, butcher, Lykens; William, farmer in Delaware; Elizabeth, wife of Levi Work- man, manager coal mines, West Virginia; Susan A., wife of E. H. Wilson, machinist, Baltimore, Md .; George, died at the age of seventeen ; John and Catherine, died young. Mrs. Daniel Keiser died at Lykens in 1852.


Mr. Keiser was married again, in 1853, to Amanda Zerby, a native of Lykens Valley, by whom he had twelve children : Ellen, wife of Lewis Jackson, of West Virginia ; Daniel, a miner ; Morris, merchant, North- umberland county, Pa .; Edward, miner, Lykens; Samuel, a miner of Lykens; Alice, resides in Williamstown, Pa. Their other children died in infancy. Mr. Keiser was a member of the Lutheran church. He died in 1877. He was enterprising and very progressive; was prominent in business, in politics, and in all social matters; was very popular and highly respected.


Henry Keiser attended school in Centre county, and in Elizabethville, Dauphin county, receiving a good common school education. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the printing office of Daniel Hoffman, where he was employed until, in April, 1861, he enlisted at Lykens for three months' service in company E, Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers, Capt. E. G. Savage, and his regi- ment formed part of General Patterson's division. He was mustered into the service at Harrisburg, and spent his three months in the field. At the expiration of his term, in July, he was again employed in the print- ing office until he re-enlisted at Lykens, in September, 1861. He was mustered at Potts- ville into company G, Ninety-sixth Pennsyl- vania volunteers, Col. H. L. Cake, Capt. F. J. Dowden, of Lykens. Mr. Keiser was in the battles of West Point, the Seven Days' Fight, South Mountain, Gettysburg, Freder- icksburg, battle of the Wilderness, Cold Har- bor, Spottsylvania (May 10 and 12, 1864), Shenandoah Valley, and Cedar Creek. In this last battle he was wounded in the right hip by a ball, in consequence of which he was six weeks off duty ; he then rejoined his


regiment in the field. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, in April, 1865, and at the grand review of the troops at Washington, D. C., and was mustered out of the service in July, 1865. Returning to Lykens, he resumed work in the printing office, where he was employed until 1873. In this year he was engaged as supply clerk by the Lykens Valley Coal Company. This responsible position he has held for the last quarter of a century, performing its duties with the utmost satisfaction to the company and the highest credit to himself.


Henry Keiser was married, in March, 1864, at Harrisburg, while on furlough, to Sarah Workman, born in Williams Valley, in January, 1841 ; daughter of Joseph Work- man, a miner, and Catherine, his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Keiser have ten children : Anzella V., wife of Joseph Dodd, miner, at Lykens ; William, a miner ; Daisy B., unmarried ; Austin, miner, Lykens; Claude, a clerk with the Lykens Valley Coal Company ; Cora and Harry, attending school; Joseph, Arthur, and Moses, all died in infancy.


Mr. Keiser is a Republican. He has been a school director for nine years in Wiconisco township, and was elected to the same posi- tion in the borough of Lykens in 1896 for three years. He has always taken a deep interest in school matters, and is in favor of compulsory education. He takes an active part in religious movements, and is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keiser is a man of pleasing personality, is always well dressed and agreeable in man ners. Both employers and employees like him, and he is popular with all classes.


SMITH, HENRY, locomotive engineer, Ly- kensand Summit Branch Railroad Company, now Central Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Lykens, was born in Washington township, Dauphin county, Pa., April 6, 1843. His father, Daniel Smith, was born in Northum- berland county, Pa., in 1810. He was a car- penter, and was also engaged in farming in Washington township, Dauphin county. Ile married Catherine Runk, born in that town- ship. Their children are : Daniel R., farmer, on homestead, Washington township; Jona- than, carpenter, Williamstown, Pa .; James, carpenter, Williamstown, Pa .; Hiram, car- penter, Elizabethville, Pa .; Adam, was a sol- dier, lost his life in the battle of Lookout Mountain ; Thomas, of Elizabethville, de- ceased ; Katie, wife of Samuel Earhart, Har-


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risburg, Pa., and Frank, freight conductor, Sunbury, Pa. Mrs. Smith died at the home- stead in Washington township. The second wife of Mr. Smith was Eliza Rechstamer ; they had no children. Mr. Smith died at Elizabethville. He was a Democrat of the old school, and a member of the Lutheran church.


Henry Smith obtained a good common school education in the schools of Elizabeth- ville. He grew up on the farm, and was en- gaged in farm work until he was twenty-one. In 1864 he entered the employ of the Sum- mit Branch Railroad Company, and was a brakeman on a coal train for four years. He was then fireman for twenty-two months. In 1870 he was promoted to engineer, and has served in that position for the past twenty- six years, meeting with only one accident in that long term of service.


Henry Smith was married, in Jackson township, in 1865, to Catherine, daughter of Philip Enders, and sister of G.W. D. Enders, of Fisherville. She was born in Jackson township, August 18, 1842. They have three children : Alice, born June, 1865, died in July, 1865; Harper L., born in 1868, died May 26, 1884; Harry E., born May 1, 1870, fireman on Northern Central railroad. Mr. Smith is a member of the Lutheran church, to which he is a large contributor. He is a trustee of the church, and a member of its building committee and church council. His politics are Democratic.


In 1893 Mr. Harry E. Smith married Miss Minnie S. Chupp. They have two children, Eldred Burnett, born in 1893, and Pauline B., born in 1895.


HOOPER, REV. PHILIP STANSBURY, pastor of Zion Lutheran church, of Lykens, Pa., was born in Fannettsburg, Franklin county, Pa., September 11, 1834. His father, Joshua Hooper, was born in Frederick county, Md., and was a blacksmith. He married Cathe- rine Zeigler, born near Chambersburg, Frank- lin county. Their children are: Philip Stansbury ; Rebecca, wife of A. Van Scoyoc, farmer, Tyrone, Pa .; James, Isaac, John, William, Henry, Susan, and Molly, all de- ceased, except Philip Stansbury, and Rebecca. Mr. Hooper was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. IIe died in Altoona, Pa., in 1861; his wife had died in May, 1860.


Philip Stansbury Hooper received his primary education in subscription schools and in the public schools of Blair county,


Pa. In 1850 he began learning the black- smith trade with his father, and worked at the anvil until he was twenty-one years old. At this age he left the paternal roof, and was for two years employed in the railroad shops at Altoona, Pa., as an iron worker. He saved his earnings with the view of acquiring a liberal education, and made a reputation as an industrious young man with high and worthy aims. His pastor, who was always planning for his young friend, obtained for him a position in the postoffice, which he gladly accepted. Soon a way was opened for him to enter the preparatory department of Pennsylvania College. Pursuing the course of studies there with untiring dili- gence, he reached the Sophomore class, when, for lack of means, he was compelled to leave college and seek remunerative employment for a year. When ready to resume college studies, he was influenced by certain consid- erations of a pecuniary nature to enter the Sophomore class of Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1861, and where he subsequently took the full theological course.


Upon the completion of this course Mr. Hooper was licensed by the Miami Synod to preach the gospel, and a year later was or- dained to the ministry of the Lutheran church by the West Pennsylvania Synod, holding its convention at Newville, Pa. His first work was at Carlisle Springs, Com- berland county, Pa. This was during the darkest hours of the late Civil war, and being settled near the border he had to do his work amid many discouragements. The salary of $400 kept him poor, if it did not keep him humble.


During his pastorate at Carlisle Springs Rev. Philip S. Hooper was married, at Springfield, Ohio, to Miss Sallie C., only daughter of Levi and Frances Louisa Lath- rop. She was prominent in society and church circles in Springfield and a graduate of the Presbyterian Female Seminary of that city. They had two children : Stella, wife of I. J. Long, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; and Mary Florence, who died at six years of age.


In 1864 Mr. Hooper accepted a call to the church in Martinsburg, Pa., where he re- mained several years and removed thence to New Philadelphia, thence to Findlay. and thence to Bellefontaine, all in Ohio. At the last-named place, in conjunction with others, he founded the Lutheran Evangelist,


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now a prosperous church paper. He became foreman and office manager, assisted in set- ting the first type, and made up the first forms of this paper, which was established as a Western church paper. From this work he was called to Trinity church, Sha- mokin, Pa., where he stayed longer than any of his predecessors in that pastorate. Subsequently he served pastorates at Stone Church, Phoenixville, and Clearfield, Pa.


In 1882, owing to the state of his wife's health, Mr. Hooper removed with the family to Philadelphia in order to place her under the immediate care of her favorite physician. During his stay in that city he was office manager of the Industrial Review and the International Review, at that time published by a company of experienced journalists. When Mrs. Hooper's health improved he accepted a call to the Central Lutheran church of Phoenixville, where they worked successfully, and where they spent the most delightful portion of their married life. Rev. Mr. Hooper removed from Phoenixville to Clearfield, and from that place to Lykens, Pa., where he is now (1896) located. He entered upon his duties here on the first Lord's Day in 1890. In the following year the cornerstone of a new church edifice was laid, the old structure having become in- adequate to the needs of the congregation and Sunday-school.


In the work connected with the erection of this building, as well as in all the duties of his ministry, Mr. Hooper's wife was, un- der God, his guide, his helpmeet and strong right arm. Upon her he leaned in his hours of trial; to her he went for counsel; upon her advice he was always disposed to act, and in her judgment he implicitly trusted. In matters theological and eccle- siastical she was well informed and was perfectly familiar with the work of her de- nomination. The needs of the Lord's vine- yard in this age of marvellous opportunity stirred her soul and kindled within her the fire of intense missionary zeal. Her death, which occurred in Philadelphia, May 31, 1895, at the age of fifty years, brought sad- ness to many hearts throughout the church, and left the parsonage home in the gloom of night. The workers in the broader circles of church and denominational enterprise deeply felt her loss. The "In Memoriam " read at the tenth annual convention of the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, of East Pennsylvania Synod, con-


tains an expression of the high esteem in which she was held by those best acquainted with her tireless industry and ceaseless ef- forts, her womanly tact and skill in minis- tering to the happiness and to the spiritual needs of all about her.


As a preacher Rev. Mr. Hooper is clear, forceful and practical, and it follows, effec- tive. As a church worker the results of his labors demonstrate his ability and faithful- ness. As a man the value of his work in the community is recognized by all citizens, and he is popular with all, because all feel the genuineness of his character and the broad charity of his spirit.


-- LONG, IRWIN J., son-in-law of Rev. P. S. Hooper, was born at his grandfather's farm, near Jonestown, Lebanon county, Pa., Feb- ruary 6, 1869. He is a son of Adam C. and Elizabeth (Lebo) Long. In the fall of 1870, when he was not quite two years old, his parents removed to Wiconisco, Dauphin county, Pa., where he spent his boyhood, re- ceiving his education in the public schools. In 1881 the family removed to Lykens, Pa., where his education was continued in the borough schools and he was graduated in the high school class of 1885, being the first male graduate of the school.


Mr. Long was elected assistant teacher in the grammar schools of the borough in 1885, and taught four years, during which time he was engaged in the music, book, and station- ery business with his father, under the firm name of Long & Son. He was the local cor- respondent and representative of the Harris- burg Morning Call also, during these years. In August, 1891, he sold his interest in the business here to his father, and went into the same line of business in Salem, Va.


Irwin J. Long was married, March 8, 1892, in Zion Lutheran church, Lykens, to Miss Stella R., daughter of Rev. P. S. Hooper. Mr. Long returned with his bride to Salem, Va., and shortly afterwards bought the interest of Edward Jeter in the Salem Saturday Sun, a weekly newspaper; assumed editorial charge of the paper April 25, 1892, put the paper on a substantial basis, owning its own plant, and in August, 1892, bought the interest of the other original proprietor, T. A. Johnson, thus becoming sole owner of paper and plant.


After a period of prosperous business Mr. Long discontinued the publication of the Saturday Sun, and in December, 1892, re- moved his printing plant to Roanoke, Va.,


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formed a co-partnership with J. T. Hall and J. C. Hill, under the firm name of The En- terprise Printing and Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he became secretary and treasurer. This company owned and pub- lished three periodicals: The Iron Belt, a monthly trade journal, devoted to mining, railroad, iron and steel interests, of which Mr. Long was editor; The Roanoke Metho- dist, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of Methodism, in Roanoke in particular, and the South in general; and Words and Works, a weekly paper devoted to the interests of Presbyterianism in the same territory. These gentlemen also composed the Southern Rub- ber Stamp Company, and manufactured rub- ber stamps, dies, seals, etc. Mr. Long was secretary and treasurer of this company also.


On March 11, 1893, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Long re- taining as his share the printing plant and Words and Works. He continued the pub- lication of this periodical until August, 1894, at the same time owning and conduct- ing the third largest job printing office in the city of Roanoke. During most of this time he also served on the editorial staff of the Roanoke Evening World. On September 5, 1894, he removed to Lykens, Pa., and on November 5, 1894, he concluded negotia- tions with Samuel M. Fenn, proprietor of the Lykens Register, by which he entered upon the ownership and management of that paper.


The Lykens Register is the successor of the Farmers' and Miners' Journal, the first paper published in upper Dauphin county, its first issue being dated August 16, 1856. It was published by an association with Dr. J. B. Hower as editor and S. B. Coles as publisher. It was suspended in October, 1861, by its owner, George W. Buchler, by reason of four of its employees having enlisted in the army, three of whom died in defense of their country. The office passed into the hands of S. B. Coles, who published the Business Man's Journal until August 1, 1865, when Capt. G. W. Fenn purchased a half interest in the concern, and formed the firm of Coles & Fenn, which published the Upper Dauphin Register and Lykens Valley Miner until No- vember 18, 1868, when S. M. Fenn became proprietor, and in 1872 changed its name to Lykens Register. On November 5, 1894, it was purchased by Mr. Long, and is now under his management. The paper has been greatly improved during his ownership,


and is now a neatly gotten up thirty-two column home printed weekly journal, unsur- passed by any local paper in the county. Its specialty is local and Upper End news, of which it contains more than can be found in any other journal.


Mr. Long has fine musical talent and taste, and has been especially successful as a choir master and musical conductor. Under his management several cantatas have been presented in the Lykens opera house by home talent. For one year he was the mu- sical director of St. Mark's Lutheran church. Roanoke, Va., having under his baton one of the finest choirs of that city. He had charge of the music at the dedication of their magnificent $60,000 cut stone house of wor- ship in May, 1894. He is at present musical director of Zion Lutheran Sunday-school at Lykens.


BAUER, FRANK J., boiler inspector for the Lykens and Summit Branch Railroad Com- pany, was born at St. Louis, Mo., June 13, 1861. His father, John Bauer, was born at Canton, Ohio, in 1841; son of John F. Bauer, of Germany, and a wine grower in Illinois. He worked with his parents in the vineyards and at distilling, and was also a coppersmith. He was afterwards travel- ing salesman for a St. Louis clothing house, and was hurt in a railroad accident at Butte City, from the effects of which he died in 1891. He married Pauline Hultzman, born near St. Louis in 1844, of English parent- age. They had six children : Alonzo F., engineer of the Santa Fe railroad, Fort Madison, Iowa; Frank J .; Albert, employed on the staff of the Topeka, Kan., State Journal; Edward, bridge builder for the King Bridge Company, Topeka, Kan .; Annie, wife of Dr. W. E. McVay; professor in Kansas State Medical College; Katie. wife of John Boltz, Topeka, passenger con- ductor on Santa Fe railroad. The mother resides in Topeka, Kan., and is a member of the Episcopal church. John Bauer was a popular man, a Presbyterian, and a Re- publican in politics.


Frank J. Bauer received a limited educa- tion. When he was thirteen he began an ap prenticeship of seven years at boiler mak. ing in the railroad shops at St. Louis. H. was to receive fifty-five cents per day for the first three years, of which five cents w. deducted every day to give him a start 'n business after he had learned his trade. 11.


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had to stand on a block of wood in order to reach the top anvil and to strike the iron. His seven years' apprenticeship ended, he worked as a journeyman in the railroad shops at Topeka, Kan., for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, and received as wages $2.75 per day. He remained there for two years, and then went to Raton, New Mexico, as boiler inspector for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, at $125 per month and expenses.


After spending five years in this position he came, in 1885, to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he was employed by the Lehigh and Wilkes- Barre Coal Company as inspector of their boilers. After being for some time in that position he was for eight months in the em- ploy of the Dixon Manufacturing Company as foreman of boiler shops. He then worked for one year for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. In 1889 Mr. Bauer obtained his present position with the Lykens and Sum- mit Branch railroad, which he has filled since that date with entire satisfaction to the company and with great credit to himself. Besides being a skilled mechanic, thoroughly acquainted with his business, he is a man of character and standing.


Mr. Bauer was married, at Raton, New Mexico, in 1885, to Katora D. Lewis, born in Wilkes-Barre in 1863, daughter of John C. Lewis, a contractor and miner, of that city. They have four children : Kate P., Anita D., John F., and Anna, all of whom are living. Mr. Bauer is a Republican and takes an ac- tive interest in all political movements of probable local benefit. He belongs to Wilkes-Barre Lodge, No. 867, K. of P .; of K. of M. C., and is past commander of both; also a member of Lykens Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active interest in all church matters. Mr. Bauer's high aim and indomitable perseverance were abundantly manifested in his determined efforts at self- improvement. In order to supply the lack of carly educational advantages he spent his evenings in study, even when obliged to work hard all day. He now enjoys the re- wards of his diligence and resolution.


- ALVARD, JACOB, postmaster, Lykens, Pa., was born in Williams Valley, Dauphin county, Pa., March 21, 1837. The family moved to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, in 1846. After the death of his mother, which occurred in 1853, the family separated, and Jacob came back to Lykens and learned


the blacksmith trade. In 1857 he went on the railroad as brakeman, was soon promoted to the position of fireman, and remained on the road until April 26, 1861, when he and Capt. E. G. Savage organized a company and entered the army for three months. At the expiration of this time he came home and re-enlisted in the Ninety-sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, September 17, 1861; served in that regiment until Feb- ruary 15, 1864, when he re-enlisted again in the field near Culpepper Court House for three years in the same regiment, and served until May 1, at which time he was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, Va., in the left forearm and left side. He was sent the hospital at Washington, D. C., and was finally discharged, February 15, 1865. Upon his return to Lykens he again engaged in railroading, and in 1866 was pro- moted to the position of engineer, which he held until 1870. From that time until 1889 he ran a hoisting engine. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Lykens in that year, and still ably filis the office.




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