History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 109

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 109

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Graveyards. - Aside from the graveyards con- nected with the above-mentioned churches, in the western part of the township is one known as Kuhn's. Tucker, 1863 ; P. K. Shoemaker, 1864; John Hunter, . A short distance east of this is Ilart's, now owned by 1865-66; C. Amy, 1867; T. Still, 1868; Jacob W. Miller, 1869-70; J. A. McDonald, 1871 ; S. C. Stone- cifer, 1872; A. B. V. Orr, 1873-74; William Engler, ! 1875; C. C. Bartels, 1876; W. Sanborn, 1876-77; D. HT. Mumma, 1878-79; Thomas Still, 1880-81 ; J. W. Edwards, 1882; and Wil-on Smith, 1883.

ing the summer season, from soon after the church was built until the present time.

the Leamans. On the farm of Elizabeth Huber, lately owned by Samuel and Martin Huber, is an old graveyard which has lately been inclosed by a substantial stone wall. The Hubers and Martins, with many others, are buried there.

Near Bowman's meeting-house, on the farm of A Sunday-school was organized, and sustained dur- , Henry Bowman, also inclosed by a stone wall, is another old burying-ground, the inclosure being almost full. Many graves are unmarked, while many others have limestone. to mark the spot of departed name and age of those resting in this inclosure. The following were copied from several of the tombstones in this yard :

Fairview Bethel Church of God .-- This church was organized in 1879, under the labors of Rev. D. H. , ones. There are but few marble slabs bearing the Mumma. Lewis Aucamp and John F. Wiggins were elected elders, and Benjamin Cunkle, Samuel Groff, and Harry HI. Wiggins, deacons. Other mem- bers, John Wimer, Susan Wimer, Ellen Cunkle, " Henry Bowman, a Bishop of the Reformed Mennonite Church, Born Oct. 6, 1795. Died Aug 4, 1863, aged 67 yeurs, 9 mio., and 28 da," Barbara Lisco, Kate Aucamp, B. A. Aucamp, Fannie Groff, Henry Aucamp, Susan Swinehart. Emma "Martin Suavely, born Feb. 16th, 1790, Died Nov. 2d, 1877, aged 87 "Susanna Huber, died July 16th, 1874, aged 83 yrs., 1 mo,, & 16 da." " Zam Andetken voy Isaac Herr, er ward gebohren den Inten Decet- ber, 1746, und gestorben den Iten Januar, 1819, seines Alters 72 jahre, 10 Monate, uud 21 Tage." yrs , 8 mo., and 16 da " Bleacher, L. S. Kendig, Mary A. Wiggins, Lydia Gochenour, Annie, Letitia, Ada, and Absalom Goch- enour, Barbara Cunkle, and Uriah Huber. A church was built in 1878 and 1879, the corner-stone being laid Oct. 9, 1878, Elder D. L. Laferty, assisted by the

Farther eastward in the township, in early times pastor, officiating. Elder C. H. Forney preached the ' known as Brubaker's, now F. Shroder's, and still dedicatory sermon in June, 1879. A Sunday-school was organized in the summer of the same year, in charge of John F. Wiggins, and continued in the summer of each year since. The different ministers that served Union Bethel, the mother church, also ministered to this people from the date of its origina- tion. farther eastward, close by the New Providence school- house, on the Stoneroad, now Thomas Groff, Jr.'s, property, are sacred spots where the Gochenours, Groff's, and many others are sleeping their last sleep. In the southeastern part of the township, on the prop- erty now owned by Christian HI. Groff, Michael Graft, more than a century ago, donated an acre of land for

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PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

a graveyard and a meeting-house. It was afterward, however, deemed advisable to build the meeting- house at New Providence. The land was occupied as a burying-ground, the donor being the first person buried in it.

Societies .- The New Providence Cornet Band was organized July 30, 1880. The original members were as follows : Hiram Shenk, E. Galen Barr, Harry Ed- wards, W. H. Richardson, John G. Eckman, Abner D. Shaub, Alfred C. Fisher, Madison Edwards, Amos Smith, Galen Sides, Jesse Edwards, Samuel Shenk, D. O. Showalter, Daniel S. Fisher, and Edward Bow- man.

The following was the organization : President, W. H. Richardson ; Vice-President, J. G. Sides ; Sec- retary, E. Galen Barr; Assistant Secretary, John G. ' completed his medical course at Jefferson Medical Eckman ; Treasurer, Harry Edwards. The whole College, and succeeded his late preceptor, Dr. J. K. Raub, at New Providence, where he has been prac- ticing his profession until the present time. cost of instruments was one hundred and twenty-one dollars and ten cents. After a short time a uniform for each member was contracted for, the whole bill amounting to five hundred and fifteen dollars and seventy-four cents. A very fine band-wagon, built

by J. Wenger, Paradise, was purchased by the band, :Senate from 1834 to 1842, also in Congress from 1845 at a cost of three hundred dollars.

The members at present are John Wettig, leader ; Galen Wade, second leader ; Harry Edwards, Benja- min Myers, Thad. Lefevre, Abner D. Shaub, Alfred C. Fisher, Madison Edwards, John Long, bass drum ; Walter Shirk, snare drum; Jesse Edwards, Abner Lefevre, Oscar Hersh, Daniel S. Fisher, and William Wettig.

Physicians .- About fifty-five or sixty years ago Dr. Daniel Musser commenced the practice of medicine in New Providence. He did not remain very long, and afterwards settled in Lampeter, where he died a few years ago, Dr. Duncan located in New Provi- ; a place now known as Dr. Wood's mill, about a mile dence in 1830, and afterwards removed to an adjoining township; after which time he and the Drs. Musser. were depended upon when medical treatment was re- quired. About 1844, Dr. Rollins came to the village, remaining about a year. The following year Dr. Ben- jamin Musser located in the village, remaining several years, afterwards moving to Strasburg township, then to the borough of Strasburg, where he died in July, 1883. In 1850, Dr. John K. Raub, a student of Dr. Benjamin Musser's, graduated at the Philadelphia College of Medicine; in 185t he practiced a short time at Eden, Lancaster Co., then at Hawksville about a year, when he moved to Quarryville, where At that time there was not a single house in what now comprises the village of Quarryville. At the termination of his first quarter in teaching he returned to his father's, and remained working on the farm until the fall of 1815, when, at the solicitation of Christian Herr, he undertook to teach a school in his he practiced the profession of his choice for three years. In 1856 he selected New Providence, Lancas- ter Co., as his field for practice. He was what might be called a self-made man. As time moved on he soon proved himself to be a man of marked ability and superior medical judgment, taking his place in the . neighborhood, in Lampeter township. There he con- front ranks of his medical brethren in the county. tinued as a teacher until the spring of 1821, when he commenced farming, having married in 1817 a daugh- ter of John Herr, lime-burner, she having been pre- viously married to John Barr, deceased. His counsel was ofttimes sought for by his neighbor- ing practitioners. He had an extensive practice, en- joying the unbounded confidence of the community

for miles around. Yet young in years, in the midst of an active and busy life, surrounded by family and friends, he was called from time by death in June, 1867, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was married to Leah, daughter of John Peoples. Two of his children, Lelia S. and G. J. P. Raub, are still living.

Dr. W. J. Wentz, a student of Dr. Ranb's, was as- i sociated with his preceptor, and a few years after- wards opened a separate office for a short time in the township, moving to Strasburg township a short time previous to Dr. Raub's death. About that time Dr. M. W. Raub opened an office in the western part of the township, continuing for several years, and then moved to Lancaster City. In 1368, Dr. A. H. Helm

Prominent Citizens .- Among the prominent eiti- zens of the township is John Strohm, Sr., who served in the State Legislature in 1831-33, and in the State to 1849; John Strohm, Jr., who served the people as a county commissioner ; John Peoples, who was a director of the poor of the county; Hiram Peoples, who was a member of the State Legislature in 1877 and 1878, and again in 1881-82; and Benjamin F. Rowe, who was elected sheriff of the county in 1856.

Of Mr. Strohin, Sr., above mentioned, the following is a brief and truthful sketch : His parents were raised in Strasburg township, but in early life moved to Little Britain township, in this county, in that part of it which now composes the township of Fulton. There, on the 16th of October, 1793, he was born, at southeast of the village of Pleasant Grove, and about a mile north of the Maryland line. When he was twelve years old his father moved back to Strasburg township, where John remained as a farmer's boy until he was twenty years old, going to school for three or four months in the winter season until he was sixteen years old. In his twentieth year he taught a school for three months at a school-house on the Valley road, about half a mile from Hawksville. The last of his scholars who then attended his school was buried in May, 1883, aged eighty six years, John Mowrer, a resident of this township.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

In 1830 his name was brought before the county convention as a candidate for the Legislature, without his knowledge or expectation. His name and char- acter being but little kuown throughout the county, his friends failed in their attempt to have him nomi- nated. The next year there was a disposition to make a change, and his friends succeeded in placing his name upon the ticket and electing him. He was re- elected in the fall of 1832 and 1833. In 1834 he was nominated and elected a member of the Senate for a term of four years, and in 1838 was re-elected to the Senate for another term of four years, thus making eleven years which he served consecutively in the Legislature of his native State.

In 1845 he was elected to Congress, and in 1847 was re-elected, making four years in Congress.

In 1833 he purchased a small property in Providence (then Martie) township, where he continued to reside until 1882, a period of forty-nine years. He then moved to Lancaster City, where he at present reside -.

He has in the mean time filled various minor offices and places of trust. He was one of the first board of directors of the Strasburg Bank, and assisted in the organization thereof. He was one of the first board of directors of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- pany, and secretary thereof for thirty-six years, and its president for two years. He was president of the Big Spring and Beaver Valley turnpike from its first organization to the present time. He was treasurer of the school board of Providence township for six years. He has, as assignee, trustee, executor, or ad- ministrator, settled more estates and acted as guardian ! for more minors than any other man in the county during his time. He was for twenty years an acting justice of the peace in Providence township.

John Peoples, a native of Chester County, moved to Providence, Lancaster Co., about 1822. He was one of the most active and energetic men in the town- ship and community in which he lived of his day. The scriptural adage might well apply to him: " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

He built a large store-house, four dwelling-honses, and blacksmith- and wheelwright-shops in the village of New Providence, aside from other buildings out- side the village. Ile served the county in the ca- pacity of director of the poor, and was generally among the foremost in every enterprise or undertak- ing beneficial to the community. He was married to Susan Miller. They had sons named Abner, Hiram, and John M., and daughters, Annie, Mary, Amanda, and Leah P. The daughters married George Witmer, John Rohrer, John Tweed, and Dr. John K. Raub.

honors, lives on the homestead in this township. He married Maria, daughter of John Brackbill. Their children are John, Ida, Angie, Carlotta, and Maria.

The elder Peoples died in 1862, if the sixty-ninth year of his age. His widow survived him until the spring of 1883, when she died, in her eighty-sixth year.

Mills and Manufactories .- Aside from the grist- mill at New Providence, above mentioned, is Strohm's mill, built by Martin Huber about twenty-six years ago, its present owner, John Strohm, Jr., being the contractor. It was built upon the site of an old mill which was among the first in the county.

A short distance south of Strohm's, Henry Brene- man built a mill about 1813. It is of stone, some of which came from an old furnace which stood elose by. Some of the door-sills, which are cast, came from the same place.

Furnace Run furnishes the motive-power for both the above mills,

A woolen-mill, on the same stream, north of Strohm's, is now in operation. It was built by Cyrus Royer, and is the successor of an old woolen-mill that had been operated for many years. The woolen-mill at New Providence, above mentioned, owned by Nelson Dyson, manufactures satinet, blankets, flannels, yarn, and earpets.

An Old Landmark .- In the western part of the township, on a farm now owned by Isaac Diller, of Lancaster City, an old furnace was operated before ! Revolutionary days. Piles of einder mark its loca- tion to this day. Cannon-balls were cast at this fur- nace during the time of the Revolution and hauled by teams to Wilmington, Del. In those exciting times the men who worked there at one time became alarmed, thinking that the English were close upon them, just about the time they were ready to east, and rather than let it fall into their hands they chilled it, the solid mass of cold iron remaining there to this time. The soil has been gradually filling up around the seat of the old furnace, so that at present the farmer can plow over it without its interfering with the plow- share.

Railroad .- The Quarryville Branch of the Colum- bia and Reading Railroad intersects the township from the northwest, passing through the township in a southeasterly direction, having a station and ticket- office at New Providence, and a flag-station about one and a half miles farther south called Hess, so named by the company in honor of John Hess, who donated a half-acre of land to them for the above- mentioned purpose.

Abner, the oldest son, married Martha, daughter of John Hess, and is living in Strasburg township. John BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. M., the third son, married Maggie Royer, of Potts- town. He at this time is Professor of Mathematics , HON. JOHN STROHM. in the State Normal School at Lock Haven, Pa. Hon. John Strohm was born in Fulton township Hiram, the second son, who attained legislative | (then Little Britain), Lancaster Co., Oct. 16, 1793.

John Strator.i'm

Josiah Burger

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PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.

His ancestors were of German origin, and emigrated from Würtemberg. David, his father, embarked for this country in company with his parents, but on the voyage his father died, and was buried at sea. The widow, with her small family of two sons and a daughter, landed at Philadelphia, and finally settled in Strasburg, Lancaster Co. The son David married a daughter of John Herr, a Mennonite preacher of Lancaster County, who was the mother of the subject of this +keteli.

The latter enjoyed but meagre educational advan- tages. In the year 1804 his father purchased a farm in Strasburg township, and in the spring of 1805 oe- cupied it. From that time he was able to attend school but a few months in the winter season. He was, however, a great reader, and filled his mind from this source with a large amount of valuable informa- tion, and by close study and research fitted himself for a teacher, a calling which he pursued for a num- ber of years in his native county. In 1817 he married Susan Bair, daughter of John Herr, of West Lampeter township, continuing the business of teaching until 1821, when he resumed the avocation of a farmer. In the year 1831 he was the Anti-Masonic candidate for the Legislature of the State, and succeeded in being elected by a handsome majority. He was re- elected to the Lower House in 1832 and 1833, and in 1834 was elected to the Senate for four years. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1838 for a second term of four years, making eleven consecutive years during which he was a member of the State Legislature. In 1842 he was elected president of the Senate, the du- ties of which office he performed with so much fidelity that no appeal was ever taken from his decision. In 1844 he was elected to represent his district in the National Congress, and in 1845 took his seat in that body. He was re-elected in 1846. In 1851 he was the candidate for canal commissioner of the State. In 1852 he was a member of the National Convention which nominated Gen. Winfield Scott for the Presi- deney, and in 1869 of the State Convention, at Phil- adelphia, which nominated Governor (feary for the office of Governor.

In his legislative capacity, Mr. Strohm was more noted for assiduous attention to business and a watch- ful care of the interests of his constituents and of the community at large than for brilliancy of talent and oratorical display. He was always plain and simple in [ the central portion of the edifice on his homestead, his habits and tastes, easy of access, kind and oblig- ing, and held in general respect for his integrity and uprightness of character. His first wife died in 1832. In 1857 he married for his second wife Mrs. Ann Wit- mer, widow of John Witmer, who is the companion of his declining years. He now lives in quiet retire- ment in the city of Lancaster, at the advanced age of ninety years.

The children of Mr. Strohm-by his first wife living in 1883 are flettie, wife of Martin Shaub, of Kansas; Henry, who resides in lowa City ; Mary, who also

lives in Iowa; John, Jr., of Lancaster County ; and Samuel, who lives in Los Angeles, Cal.

John Strohm, Jr., is a well-known resident of Prov- idence, township. lle was born Dec. 14, 1824, enjoyed only a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one went to learn the milling business with Christian Shultz, of Strasburg township, which he- came his life-work. In 1855 he began to operate the mill now owned by him in Providence township, where he has since continued, having made valuable additions to and improvements in the property. He is a Republican in politics, and has filled various im- portant offices in his township, including a service of twelve years on the school board, as well as filling the office of auditor of Lancaster County, and of com- missioner of the county in 1868-70. During the war he was postmaster at Smithville. He married Fanny, daughter of Daniel Mylin, of West Lampeter town- ship, and has had three children, viz .: Harry, a clerk in the county treasurer's office at Lancaster ; B. Franklin, in New Mexico; and Elmer, in Col- erado.

JOSIAH BURGESS.

Josiah Burgess was born at Leesburg, Lancaster Co., Pa., on May 5, 1818. His father, John Burgess, kept the hotel at Leesburg for many years, and was well known throughout the southern part of Lan- caster County. At an early age Josiah was com- pelled to provide for himself, and when twelve years of age entered the employ of John Nefl, of Stras- burg township, as a farm-boy, with whom he re- mained six years. During that time he acquired at the district schools of his locality the limited educa- tion with which he entered upon the stern duties of life. When eighteen he engaged in shad-fishing on the Delaware River for one season, and then adopted the trade of a post-maker and fence-builder, an occu- pation which he pursued in the winter season for many years. For seventeen years he worked for Christian Harnish, of Pequea township, during hay- ing and harvest-time. About the year 1850, having by hard labor and patient industry saved a small compe- teney, he purchased forty acres of land in Providence township of Maj. Hoopes, which became a part and the nucleus of his late landed estate in that sec- tion. In 1852 he erected a small barn, which is now

occupying as a residence for seven years a small log house of primitive character on the same estate. In 1857 he built his late residence. At different times he added to his landed property and also to his build- ings, and at the time of his death, Dec. 2, 1882, had acquired four farms in his neighborhood, including over one hundred and eighty acres of land. At the time of his first settlement in the western part of Providence township the land was very poor, and it seemed alnost a hopeless task to reclaim it to the purposes of profitable agriculture; but by dint of

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

hard work, indomitable energy and determination, and untiring industry Mr. Burgess succeeded in de- veloping his land into one of the finest, best-enlti- vated, and most productive farms in his section of Lancaster County. It has been said that he who causes one blade of grass to grow where formerly there was none is a benefactor to his race, and if this be true, Mr. Burgess is entitled to the admiration and respect of mankind, and to a prominent place among the successful farmers of his native county. A man of limited education, born under unpropitious cir- cumstances, with nothing to encourage or stimulate him, he accomplished what he did in life by the ex- ercise of a determination of character and a unity of purpose that has made men in other spheres great. He was no seeker after publie place, but filled in a ereditable manner the position of school director in his township for several years. He was a regular attendant of the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributed with a liberal spirit to the support of that and other evangelical and worthy in- | stitutions. Ifis personal integrity was never ques- tioned. Ile married, Aug. 15, 1843, Barbara, daughter of Mary and John Shroad, of Providence township, who survives him in 1883. Alfjongh they had no children of their own, they reared and cared for not less than ten, whom they trained and educated in a proper way.

STEPHEN WIGGINS.

Robert Wiggins was born in Kent County, Md., where he grew to manhood. In 1807 he immigrated to Lancaster County, Pa., and located in Colerain town- ship. He married Hannah, daughter of James and Elizabeth Hambleton. Their children were Mercy Ann, born Dec. 19, 1809; James, born Feb. 2, 1811; Stephen, born July 19, 1812; Rachel, born Nov. 11, 1813; David, born March 3, 1815; Sarah, born Feb. 4, 1817 ; Eliza, born Aug. 27, 1818; Martha Ann, born CHAPTER LXXIII. Jan. 7, 1820; Hannah, born June 30, 1821 ; and Lydia, born Sept. 25, 1825. James .Hambleton came from RAPITO TOWNSHIP. Bucks County, Pa., and settled in Drumore township, Lancaster Co. They were Quaker-, and of Scotch origin. He died Jan. 27, 1833, his wife March 4, 1832. . the Big Chiki- and Little Chikis Creeks. It is the third Robert Wiggins died Out. 31, 1842; Mrs. Wiggins died Sept. 8, 1870.

Stephen Wiggins, the subject of our sketch, was born in Colerain, above named, July 19, 1812, and grew to man's estate therein. Ilis edneation was ob- tained at the old log school-house at Chestnut Level, and since added to by close observation and an active business life. When twenty-two years of age he com- menced life on his own account, first learning the turning trade.' He worked at his trade one year only. In 1831 he settled on thirty aeres of land in Providence township, which had been given to his wife by her grandfather. Ile added forty aeres to the tract, all of which he has cleared and improved. Ile first built a log house near where his present comfortable resi-

dence stands, which he has since erected, and in which he expects to pass the remainder of his days. Mr. Wig- gins in early life was a Whig. When the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks, and has since been a sturdy supporter of its principles. He has been a school director for many years, also a justice of the peace, and, in fact, has held most of the offices within the gift of his fellow-townsmen. In the county conventions of his party he has many times repre- sented his township. On the Ist of May, 1833, he was married to his present estimable wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Bowman, born in Providence township, June 20, 1813. Her parents were John and Eliza- : beth ( Winters) Bowman. Mr. Bowman was born in Lampeter township, in Lancaster County, May 5, 1791, and at this writing is still living, hale and hearty. His father was Henry Bowman, whose father's name was also Henry, and born, it is thought, in Lancaster County. Mrs. Elizabeth Bowman died in 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wiggins there have been born thirteen children, viz. : Samuel, born April 11, 1835; David, born June 1, 1836; Benjamin, born April 3, 1838; John, born July 8, 1839; Hetty, born Dec. 9, 1841; Hannah, born April 4, 1843; Clayton, born May 31, 1845; Mary Ann, born Aug. 25, 1846; Ellen, born March 6, 1818; Angeline, born July 4, 1850; Elias, born March 18, 1852; Martha, born Nov. 2, 1853; and Harry, born Sept. 16, 1855. The sons of Mr. Wiggins, made enthusiastic by the patriotic zeal of their father, did their full share towards putting down the Rebellion of 1861. John enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, and served during the war; Benjamin and Clayton both served nine months in Pennsylvania regiments, Samuel seven months, and David put in a substitute.

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 109

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320