History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 12

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 12

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William F. Lockard married at Middletown, Dau- phin Co., Pa., on the 6th day of March, 1850, Marga- ret B., daughter of Daniel Fager, formerly of Reading, Pa. Their children are Jennie B., Samuel L., Thomas G., Edwin J., Letitia, Minnie, and Lucy F. All are living with the exception of Letitia, who died in infancy.

The Loekards were from the earliest records of the family in Germany members of the German Lutheran Church. This family still adheres to the faith and worships with the same denomination.

JOHN B, BACHMAN.

Mr. Bachman's paternal ancestors are of German extraction, while on the maternal side is traced a union of Scotch and Irish antecedents. Felix Bach- man, his great-grandfather, emigrated from Switzer- land about the year 1740, and purchased of the heirs of William Penn six hundred acres of land in Bart township, Laneaster Co.

John B. Bachman

He had two sons, George and Jacob, the latter of whom was born on the ancestral land, and in the dwelling erected by his father soon after his purchase, which is still standing. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and married Ann Heidlebach, of this same town- ship. Their sons were George, Samuel, and Jacob, and their daughters Ann and Elizabeth.

The birth of Samuel occurred upon the paternal estate in 1791, in the vicinity of which his life was spent as merchant, landlord, and farmer. He was a man of enterprise and judgment, and his services were much sought in the settlement of estates in his native county. He married Rebecca G. Baird, whose grandfather, Thomas Baird, emigrated to America from Tyrone, Ireland, in 1753. John Baird, the father of Mrs. Bachman, was a soldier of the Revo- Intion, and a magistrate both in Bart and Colerain' townships. His death occurred in 1822. The chil- dren of Samuel and Rebecca were John B., Hiram F., Samuel H., and Ann A.

Mrs. Bachman's death occurred in 1831, and that of her husband April 1, 1882. Their son, John B., was born March 22, 1820, on the homestead in Bart

Sfrederik Basher

595

BOROUGH OF COLUMBIA.

township, and his childhood was spent in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace. His educa- .. tional advantages were confined to the select schools of the neighborhood, after which he became clerk of a country store, and filled a similar position in the village hotel. At the age of eighteen he became a carpenter's apprentice, and having acquired the trade conducted an extensive business. Desiring a larger field of labor than the country afforded, he removed in 1852 to Columbia, and availing himself of the new inventions in machinery then in use, engaged largely in the manufacture of sash, doors, and blinds. He is doubtless the oldest manufacturer in the State en- gaged in this branch of industry, and still condnets an extensive planing and lumbering business on the site of his original purchase.

Mr. Bachman was married in 1847 to Miss Isabella, daughter of Matthew Knox, of the same township. Their children are Florence R. (Mrs. Breneman ), Hyde I .. , Jenny Gail, and Mary Gertrude. Mr. Bachman has by his ambition and public spirit added much to the growth and development of Columbia. He has for many years been actively engaged in building, the dwellings he erected having especial reference to the comfort and improved condition of the laboring classes. He has been since the casting of his first ballot on conviction an Old-Line Whig, and readily espoused the platform of the Republican party on its formation. He has been prominent in municipal affairs, and frequently a member of the Council of the borongh of Columbia.

Mr. Buchman may justly be regarded as a promoter of all schemes having for their object the improved condition of the community.

FREDERICK BUCHER.

The parents of Frederick Bucher were Joseph Max and Barbara (Bernauer) Bucher, of Deggingen, Wur- temberg, Germany, where the former died in 1870, having during his active life been a leading merchant of that village. Here his son Frederick was born, Sept. 18, 1830. On reaching manhood he decided upon America as a future field of labor, and emi- grated in 1853. Christian, his brother, followed in 1856, and Max, another brother, in 1858, both of whom are since deceased.

Frederick settled in Columbia, and at once sought employment with Jonas Rumple in the hardware business. After a brief period he engaged with Henry Pfhaler, of the same place, with whom he re- mained until 1860, and later became associated with J. W. Cottrell. In 1866 he embarked in the grocery and hardware business, and has since been thus oe- cupied. Ile is also largely interested in real estate transactions, and has erected many dwellings in the borough of Columbia.

He was married in 1859 to Miss Louisa, daughter of Michael Bartsh, of Chestnut Hill, Lancaster Co.,

to whom were born children,-Mary, Frederick, Amelia, and William.

Mr. Bucher, in 1857, had partially decided upon California as a future home, but was influenced by circumstances to return to Pennsylvania after an ex- tended tour, «including a journey of great interest through the Sonth.

Ile revisited his native land in 1880, having trav- eled extensively through Germany, France, and Italy. The journey was made with a view to reviving the scenes of his childhood experiences and enjoying the companionship of his mother and three sisters, who still occupy the parental abode. Mr. Bucher, while in the hardware business, was snecessful in the in- vention of a stove for heating purposes, which was patented in 1858. A disastrons fire having destroyed the patterns, prevented the manufacture of the article. He is an active Odd-Fellow and a member of the Susquehanna Lodge, No. 80, of Columbia, as also of the Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection of the same borough.

In politics he is a Republican, though not an active politician.

ANDREW J. MUSSER.

Peter Musser, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, was of Swiss parentage, and married a Miss Dietz, to whom were born chil- dren,-John, Christian, Henry, Peter, and Annie. Peter, of this number, was born Nov. 29, 1776, in Lan- caster County, and died July 2, 1848, in his seventy- second year. He married Elizabeth Rhorer, of the same county, who was born Aug. 14, 1788, and died Oct. 8, 1822, in her thirty-fifth year. Their children were Henry R., Mary, Annie, Joseph, and Betsey.

Henry R. was born June 18, 1808, and died June 1, 1873, in his sixty-fifth year. He was three times mar- ried, the second union having been with Annie, only daughter of John and Barbara Monk. Their chil- dren were Elias If., Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, and Barbara Ann, who became Mrs. Ilorn. Andrew Jackson was born March 2, 1841, in Lancaster County. The early years of his life were spent in West Hempfield township, his home after his fourth year having been with his maternal grandfather, John Mouk. At the age of eighteen he removed to Columbia, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the trade of cabinet-maker, subse- quently pursning his vocation until Aug. 9, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for a period of nine months, during which time he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On his return he resumed his trade, which was continued until 1871, when he pur- chased the old and established business of George Seibert, cabinet-maker and undertaker, which he has greatly enlarged, having added extensive facilities for fine upholstering.

596

HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

Mr. Musser was married in 1861 to Miss Cassandra E., daughter of John and Mary Shenberger, of York County, Pa. Their children are John S. and Frank B., both of whom are associated with their father in business.1 Mr. Musser is in politics an active Repub- lican. He has been for three years a member of the Council of the borough of Columbia, and was during the last year its president. He is also an enthusiastic Mason and member of the Columbia Lodge, No. 286, of Free and Accepted Masons. lle is a member of the Susquehanna Lodge, No. 80, of Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, in which he has taken all the degrees, and was representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection of Columbia, and a di- rector of the Commonwealth Mutual Insurance Com- pany of Columbia, as also of the Columbia Building and Loan Association. Mr. Musser, in business en- terprise and public spirit, is among the foremost citi- zens of the place of his residence.

HENRY H. HEISE.

The Heise family are of Swiss extraction and early settlers in Lancaster County. Solomon Heise, the grandfather of Henry H., was a resident of West Hempfield, where he followed farming employments. He married Patience Bethel, of Scotch descent, and had children,-Samuel B., IIenry, George W., Fred- eriek K., Susan, and Elizabeth. The death of Mr. Heise occurred on the homestead March 16, 1833, in his seventy-second year, and that of his wife March 28, 1855, aged eighty-two years. His son Henry was born during the year 1804 at the homestead, where be conducted farming on an extensive scale. He married Anna, daughter of John and Franey Forrey, the latter of whom died in West Hempfield township in her one hundred and fourth year. Mr. Heise mar- ried a second time Miss Hannah Heidler, niece of John and Franey Forrey, of Rapho township. Their children were Henry H., Benjamin F., Elizabeth (Mrs. Nolt), Anna M. (deceased), Salinda H. (Mrs. Wilmot), Sarah H. (Mrs. Agnew). Mr. Heise died Feb. 10, 1862, in his sixtieth year. Henry II., his son, was born June 30, 1840, in West Hempfield township, his childhood having been spent fat the home of his parents. Ile availed himself of such ad- vantages as the neighboring school afforded, and after- wards engaged in labor on the farm. In 1866 he be- came a pupil at the People's Business College at Reading, Pa., and in 1867 made an extended tour through Europe. In 1870 he embarked in the hard - ware business in Columbia, where he is still an active merchant. He was married April 28, 1874, to Miss Susan, daughter of John S. Mellinger, of Creswell, Manor township. Their children are Harry Elvin,

1 The youngest has also acquired the art of telegraphy, iu which he la regarded as an expert.

who resides with his unele, Dr. David Mellinger, In Manor township, and Susan Florence, who died in infaney. Mrs. Ileise died Jan. 11, 1877.

The firm of Heise & Kauffman, with which Mr. Heise was formerly connected, is the patentee of Heise & Kauffman's " patent combined feed tobacco and heating steamer," and Mr. Heise is the patentee of H. H. Heise's latest improved "hydraulic ram." For both of these an extended demand has been cre- ated. Since the spring of 1883 Mr. Heise has been sole owner of the extensive hardware business for- merly conducted with his partner. He is in politics a Republican, but not an ardent politician. He is a director of the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company of Columbia and of the Commonwealth Fire Insur- anee Company, also of Columbia. The family are in their religious belief Presbyterians, and Henry H. has not departed from the faith of his ancestors.

WILLIAM PATTON.

Mr. Patton is of Irish extraction, his grandfather having been Matthew Patton, who resided in the County Tyrone, Ireland. Among his children was James, born in 1788, who still survives in his ninety- fifth year. He emigrated to America in 1817, and having purchased a tract of land in Chester County, Pa., devoted his life to farming employments. He married Ann, daughter of Samuel Ramsey, of County Armagh, Ireland, and had children, -William, Scott, Harriet (who became Mrs. Burton), and five who are deceased. Their son William was born May 12, 1817, in the County Tyrone, Ireland, and with his parents came to America when an infant. His boyhood until his twenty-second year was spent in Chester County, where he was principally engaged in labor upon the farm.

Having received the appointment of State agent on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, he held the office for one year, after which he became connected with the road as locomotive engineer. In the fall of 1841 he married Miss Susan, daughter of Joseph Withers, and granddaughter of John Withers, who was a captain in Col. John Ferree's battalion during the Revolution, and later a farmer in Strasburg town- ship. The children of Mr. Patton are Emma, Anna F., Olivia, Josephine, and Clara (Mrs. Denny). The year of his marriage Mr. Patton purchased a forward- ing house, lumber- and coal-yard at Fair View, Lan-) caster Co. At the expiration of the third year be re- ceived an appointment as train dispatcher at Columbia, and also embarked in the lumber and eval business in that borough. Two years later he, with his brother, engaged in mercantile interests, having still retained the former business.

Mr. Patton, in 1852, turned his attention to con- tracting, having as the initiatory step built the round- house for the State in connection with the Columbia Railroad. He later constructed the larger part of

ELDeixe

597

MOUNT JOY BOROUGH.

the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad and the Stonerstown bridge.

Together with other partners he also built eighty- two miles of the western end of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. Ile returned to Columbia and em- barked in the iron business as general manager of the Susquehanna Iron Company's works, with which interest he has been since identified.

This industry, under his competent supervision, bas become one of the most successful iron interests of the State, its products being unsurpassed in qual- ity by any rolling-mill in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Patton has been largely identified with the growth and development of the borough of Columbia, and for many years actively interested in building enterprises. Ile is a director in both the Susque- hanna Iron Company and the Keely Stove Company.

In religion he is a supporter and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbia, with which Mrs. Patton and their daughters are also connected.

In politics he has during his lifetime espoused the principles of the Democratic party.

MILTON WIKE.

4. George Wike, the grandfather of Milton, emigrated from Germany and settled in Laneaster County, where he followed his trade of shoemaker. Later he re- moved to Columbia, where he continued to be indus- triously employed. He was twice married, and had children,-George, John, and three daughters, Mary (Mrs. Henry Mathiot), Sarah ( Mrs. John Hudders) and Betsey ( Mrs. Mullen). Mr. Wike's death occurred in Columbia in advanced years. His son, George, was born in the above borough, Jan. 11, 1805, in the im- mediate vicinity of which his life was spent. He ac- quired the trade of a cooper, but soon after followed the life of a boatman, and became a pilot on the Sus- quehanna River. Subsequently he engaged in con- tracting, and built a portion of the Tide-Water Canal, extending from Wrightsville to IIavre-de-Grace. He was on the 26th of April, 1827, married to Saralı, daughter of John Eberlin, of Columbia. Their chil- dren are Susan, John F. E., Milton, Ann Jane (Mrs. Wall), Nathaniel E., Emina Frances, George Wash- ington, Henry M., Hannah G. (Mrs. Mullen), Samuel F., Andrew J., Albert, Eunice ( Mrs. Stair), and Frank- lin. George Wike died Dec. 31, 1857, in his fifty- second year. Ilis widow, who survives him, resides in Columbia.

Milton Wike was born Jan. 25, 1831, in Manor township, and removed when an infant with his parents to Columbia, where he attended during his youth the public school of the borough. He then be- came familiar with the business of a butcher, which was for several years successfully conducted, after which he engaged in the purchase and sale of stock. He later retired from active business pursuits and de- voted his attention to a farm owned by him in Martic

township. He was in January, 1861, married to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Hinkel, of Columbia. Their children are George, Edith, and Flora. Mr. Wike is in polities a Republican. He has for three successive terms been elected school director of the borough of Columbia, and was a member of its Conn- cil during the period of the late war. Ile is also one of the board of directors of the Old Columbia Public Grounds. Ile is a member of Columbia Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Cyrene Com- mandery of Knights Templar of Columbia. Mr. Wike's family worship with the Lutheran denomina- tion, of which he is a liberal supporter.

CHAPTER XXXI.

MOUNT JOY BOROUGHI.

THE borough of Mount Joy is a bandsome and thrifty town situated upon the Pennsylvania Rail- road, twelve miles west of Lancaster. The Lancaster and Harrisburg turnpike passes through the town and forms its principal street. The earliest habita- tions within the present limits of Mount Joy were two taverns, which were built upon this thoroughfare many years before it was made a turnpike, and they may be considered the nuelei around which the towu was developed. The first of these was a house which stood on the northern or Mount Joy side of the turn- pike, and now forms a portion of the Exchange Ilotel. It was a small brick house, built by Alex- ander Campbell in 1768. These facts were for many years set forth upon a stone which capped the apex of the brick arch of a dormer-window, so that he who ran might read, but when the structure was altered and improved the stone was dislodged from its po- sition, and it is now said to be in the attie of the hotel. The second tavern was on the southern or Donegal township side of the stage-road, where it is crossed by the Manheim road, in the western part of the town. The farm embracing this neighborhood was purchased at an early day by Michael Nichels, and the house was built by him in 1783. It stood upon the now vacant corner lot adjoining the residence of Mr. Hil- debrand, and was known as "The Cross-Keys." Nichels had a wife, Eva, who was a virago, noted for her ungovernable temper. The place thus became widely known as "the three crosses,"-the cross- roads, "The Cross-Keys," and "the cross landlady." This tavern was carried on until a comparatively recent date by various landlords, and was finally de- stroyed by fire. A stone from the old building is now to be seen in the rear wall of the Washington Hotel or Plummer House. It bears in elearly legible char- acters this inscription : " Erbaut durch Michael Nichels & Eva, 1783,"-that is, built by Michael aud Eva

598

HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

Nichels. "The Cross-Keys" was a favorite place of resort for the roistering convivialists of the region round about in Mount Joy, Rapho, and Donegal townships long years before the town, which after- wards included it within its hounds, was laid out, and while its site was covered with woods. During the Whiskey Insurrection, at a militia training there, several persons spoke loudly in favor of the insurgents, declaring they were ready to go to their assistance. They were subsequently arrested and taken to Lan- caster, but excused themselves by saying that their apparent disloyalty was only the result of a drinking bout.

Rohrerstown .- The first or eastern portion of the town was laid out in September, 1811, by Jacob Rohrer, who came from Sporting Hill, and was called Rohrerstown. It consisted of one hundred and thirty- four lots, laid out around a centre square, and equally divided by the Lancaster and Harrisburg turnpike. A lottery was devised for the distribution of lots, after a common custom of the time, and tickets were sold at eighty-five dollars each. They were not all immediately disposed of, but those remaining in Rohrer's possession were sold within two or three years. Rohrer built the wooden portion of the Ex- change Hotel as an addition to the old tavern erected in 1768, which has already been described, and a small building adjoining the site of the present National Bank, in which he kept the first store within the present limits of Mount Joy. Prior to this time the nearest store had been one kept by a Mr. Reeser, one mile west of the site of Mount Joy, on the Manheim road, where now is the farm-house of Abram Iliestand, in Rapho township.

that was opened in the village. On the adjoining property west was a house built in 1812 by a Mr. Wilkinson, who became afterwards a justice of the peate. There were two houses between this and the place where the railroad crosses, the first occupied by a Mr. Earl and the second by the Galbraith family. Beyond, where the Exchange Hotel now is, was the small tavern, built in 1768, which has been described, and beyond that came what is now the bank build- ing, Rohrer's store. When Rohrer left the new vil- lage his stock in this store was taken by Jacob Myers, who sold goods for many years. Myers lived beyond this store in a one-story log house which had been built before the town was laid out, and probably as early as 1780. This house is still standing, and is weather-boarded, so that it does not look much older than some of its neighboring dwellings. It is occu- pied by the widow of Jacob Myers, Jr. Henry Myers is now the oldest native-born resident of the borough.

On the same side of the street and east of the square, in the order given, were houses built and occupied by Mr. Mencer, John Mateer, and Frederick Hoffman, and at the extreme east end was the gate-house of the turnpike. Another toll-house was soon after built, to take the place of this one, and it was re- moved into a more central location, and became the first shop of the town. It has been for more than half a century occupied as a shoe-shop by Alexander Dysart. Altogether there were twelve honses on the north side of the street in 1812.

On the south side of the street there were seven. The first one which would appear to a traveler ap- proaching the village from the east was a small house owned by Mrs. Jane Dysart. Back of it was another Rohrer removed soon after the war of 1812 to Ma- rietta, and became president of a bank organized there, which finally met with disaster. Prior to that time, however, he returned to the town which he bad founded, and served here many years as magistrate. He died in Mount Joy about 1840. log habitation. These houses were built by Martin Krider, probably in 1810. They were not within the limits of the town proper. Going west, the next house was a two-story brick, built by Mr. Mancer, and now owned and occupied by James A. Patterson. Near the upper corner of the square was a double log The newly laid out village was settled with consid- erable rapidity during the war of 1812 and the few years following, but afterwards, for a score of years, the accessions of population were few. house, which was built by Perry Woods. It is now weather boarded. The building now occupied as & newspaper office by Mr. Iloffer was not in 'existence in the period of which we write, but was erected by One of the early residents1 of Mount Joy, or Roh- rerstown, has given the writer facts concerning the early history of the village, which enable him to pre- sent quite a complete view of the place as it appeared in the war of 1812 period. IIe estimates that it then contained thirty-three families, and identifies the lo- cations of all the houses. Where Dr. Zeigler now John Brindler about 1817. The next house, now used as a restaurant by James Mooney, was built in 1815, and owned until very recently by Robert Dy- sart. Then came the Red Lion tavern, built by a Mr. Navy, a cabinet-maker. It forms a part of the pres- ent large building. The original structure was occu- pied at different periods both for store and tavern lives, on the north side of the Main Street and the purposes, its best-known proprietor in the latter corner of. the Centre Square, was a house built by Brice Curran, in 1812, for a residence, but soon given up by him to James Sterrett, who kept in it the second store being Oakey Henderson, who began as landlord about *1818, and kept it for many years. Just before coming to the Marietta turnpike the traveler would see the two houses now owned by Messrs. McFarland and Longnecker. The first of these, like Myers', on the opposite side of the turnpike, was probably built before the town was laid out. This house was owned

1 Robert Dysart, of Lapcuster, who was born in 1804, became a resi- dent of Rohrerstown when it was laid out, and for many years was one of the leading citizens of Mount Joy.

599

MOUNT JOY BOROUGH.

by David McNeely, from Bucks County, who added a second story, and the adjoining one by his son, who bore the same name and was a captain.

On Donegal Street, the first house on the south side was a small one, built prior to 1812 by a weaver named Snell, who lived in it during the war. An- drew and Nancy Dysart, father and mother of Robert and Alexander Dysart, lived in a double log honse on the right- hand side of the street, nearly opposite Snell's. This house was built by Alexander Patter- son. Farther westward was the log residence of John Hayes, who owned a number of lots on this street.

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 12

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