History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 55

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 55

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

eurious spectacle to watch the precipitation with which the Republicans in all the States hastened to declare in favor of Mr. Lincoln's renomination ; so that when the National Convention assembled to do that aet, there was no opposition to him.

From 1864 to 1866, Gen. Cameron took a very ac- tive part in the politics of Pennsylvania, giving to the organization of the Republican party a prestige which enabled it to bear down all opposition.

In 1866 he was re-elected to the United States Sen- ate, a position he held a longer term of years than any man sent to the same body from the State of Pennsylvania. His influence on national legislation was as great as that of any man that ever served in the Senate. The singularity of this influence is re- vealed in greater force when it is remembered that he sion to oratory, but his talk was sound, his argument lucid, and his statement of fact impregnable. What he lacked in fervid, flashing speech he made up in terse, solid common sense. From the time he entered the Senate until he resigned his seat in 1877 -- a con- tinuous service of eleven years-he was recognized as one of its most useful and reliable member-, and at the date of his resignation was chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, a position only ae- corded to a senator of admitted statesmanship. He was foremost always in practical legislation. His opinions on questions of commerce, manufacturing, finance, internal improvements, fortifications, and the public domain were always accepted as guiding coun- sel. He encouraged the building of the first Pacific Railroad, was a warm supporter of opening the pub- lic lands to actual settlers. He lost no opportunity to advocate and further the organization of new States, and regarded the expansion of the boundaries of the Union as the only true course to preserve the equilibrium of power between the seetions. He made history as few other statesmen in this country created it, by producing results in the practical walks of life. History in its broadest scope will ever keep such in- dividuals before the generations of men which are to live in this country, for their models in public af- fairs.

Gen. Cameron married Margaret Brua, daughter of Peter Brua, of Harrisburg, and their children were Rachel, married Judge Burnside, of Bellefonte ; Brua; Margaret, married Richard J. Haldeman; James Donald; and Virginia, married Wayne Mac Veagh.

Other Settlers .- Daniel Gillman was one of the pioneer settlers. He manufactured muskets for the Continental army. His daughter and sons were Bar- bara, who married George Baist; Nicholas, who mar- ried Catarine Mackert; Elizabeth, born 1802; and Jacob, born 1804.

where he raised several children. He lived to be alnost a centenarian.

John Nicholas was a blacksmith. He manufac- tured broadswords for the Revolutionary army. His children were Jacob, born 1769; Catharine, born 1773; Nicholas, born 1775; Mary, born 1777; and Margaret, born 1778, who married Fred. Draben- stadt.

Enoch Hastings was one of the pioneer settlers. By trade he was a carpenter, he also made it a busi- ness to shine shingles. His son Enoch was also a carpenter; John was a saddler; Sally has made May- town famous in poetry. She was a remarkable lady, and may justly be classed among the celebrities.

James Eagan was a redemptioner, and was pur- chased for a term of years by the late John , Halde- seldom participated in debate. Ile made no preten- : man to pay his passage from Ireland. He was very industrious, and came to be a most excellent busi- ness man and an exemplary citizen. Before his term expired with Mr. Haldeman he saved some money by extra work. The latter, who was a good judge of the character and capabilities of men, saw in Eagan many good qualities, and he assisted him to establish a small store in Maytown. By striet integrity and attention to business he accumulated money rapidly. Hle purchased the two-story stone dwelling at the northeast corner of the square. His business ex- tended, and his was the only store then west of Lan- caster in which tea, coffee, sugar, and bar-iron could be purchased in Donegal and surrounding townships. Some of his descendants are living in Philadelphia.

Walter Bell came from Upper Paxton to Maytown about the year 1770. He was a tailor by trade, and also kept tavern, and for several years was constable of Donegal township. He was ensign in Col. Lowrey's battalion in 1777, and was at the battle of Brandy- wine.

The pioneer settler of the Gailbach family was John Gailbach. He came to Maytown soon after it was laid out with his son, Frederick Gailbach, who bought the lot at the northwest corner of the square, upon which he erected a large stone tavern in front, and in the rear a stone still-house, about the year 1762 or 1763. It was the first tavern stand erected in the place, and during the Revolutionary war it be- eame the best known and most prominent tavern in the township and neighborhood. Military musters and fairs were of frequent occurrence in this old town. There was a great deal of travel through May- town to Vinegar's, Galbraith's, Rankin's, and Harris' Ferries, which made hotel-keeping a profitable busi- ness in the town. Gailbach accumulated a large estate. His wife's name was Ann. He died in 1797, leaving the following-named children : Frederick, Catharine (Mackey), Barbara Anna (Brenneman ),

Dominick Eagle came to Maytown about the year | Elizabeth (who also married a Brenneman), and 1785. He was a wagon-maker, and also eried ven- | Mary (Johnson).

dues. Ile had two sons .- Henry, who was also a John Gailbach, a brother of Frederick, was a prom- wagon-maker, and John, who resided in Maytown, Finent citizen. He married Magdalena Bucher, the

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EAST DONEGAL TOWNSHIP.

oldest child of Christian Bucher, who was the grand- | the " High Dutch German Lutheran congregation, mother of Bayard Taylor by her second husband, Caleb Way. Ile died in 1797, leaving a widow, Mary, and six children.

Doreas, widow of John Buchannan, and daughter of Col. Bertram Galbraith, died at Maytown in 1810, 1 and left surviving her sons, -William, who had a daughter Guletta ; James Galbraith Buchannan, who resided at Elizabethtown, and afterwards moved to Marietta, where he died; and Thomas G., who was a captain in the war of 1812.

two lots of ground, fronting on Jacob Street sixty-two feet, and two hundred and fifty feet in depth." This church is known and the title reads upon its record, " Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession." The first building was constructed of logs in 1771. The first pastor was Rev. Michael En- terlein, who was succeeded by J. Frederick Illing, 1778; Frederick Theodore Melsheimer, 1784; Fred- erick Ernst, 1802; John Paul Ferdinand Kramer, 1806; John Jacob Strein, 1816-21; J. Speck, 1824; Frederick Ruthraff, 1828; Peter Sahm, 1833 ; L. Ger- hardt, 1838; William Gerhardt, 1847; Jacob B.

The German Reformed Church was organized in the spring of 1765, and for five years thereafter preach- ing was had at private houses. On the first day of : Christ, 1852; William G. Lartzle, 1854; B. F. Apple, 1862; F. T. Hoover, 1868; D. Stock, 1870; G. P.

August, 1769, Jacob Downer, who laid out the town, gave to Christian Fox and Garret Fisens a lot of | Weaver, 1874; J. V. Eckerd, 1878; Milton Stein, ground for the use of " the congregation of the Re- : 1880; and the present pastor, J. IT. Houseman, 1882.

formed Church of the Iligh Dutch Protestants of Maytown," two lots of ground measuring sixty-two The male communicants in 1772 were Adam Nas, Christian Weniger, Sr., Jacob Wolf, Peter Linde- muth, George Lindemuth, George Kimlings, Adam Klopffer, Frederick Baner, Simon Jost, Matthew Stier, William Beck, Jacob Mars, Henry Ilubley, Valentine Stier, Matthew Kline, Christian Weniker, Jr., Philip Klug, Frederick Geig, Adam Hubley, Ludwig Schultz, Jacob Menico. and one-half feet each on the south side of Elizabeth Street, and two hundred and fifty feet deep. The first pastor was Rev. - Hinkle, the second Rev. Ludwig Cupp, who preached for the congregation until 1797. For the following eight years the church was without a regular pastor, the congregation de- clined, and the old log meeting-house went to decay. In 1805 a renewed effort was made to build up the For the year 1816 the members were Henry Mil- ler, William Hinkel, Elizabeth Hinkel, Ludwig Lehman, Barbara Lehman, Peter Lindemuth, Bar- bara Lindemuth, Catharine Lindemuth, Elizabeth Lindemuth, Philip Brenner, Hannah Brenner, George Lindemuth, Christina Lindemuth, John Lindemuth, Catharine Lindemuth, Daniel Kapp, Maria Kapp, John Gopfert, Ann Barbara Gopfert, Jacob Schreiner, Elizabeth Schreiner, John Schaeffer, John Dolba, Andreas Schargen, William Hinkel, Jacob Linde- muth, Ludwig Lehman, Magdalena Shimp, George Miller, Eve Esterle, John Stoner, Catharine Glopfer, congregation, and Col. Ilenry Ilaines, who was a member of the church, and a member of the As- sembly in 1805-6, procured an "act to raise by way of lottery a sum of money to defray the expenses of building a Presbyterian Church in the village of May- town," which was approved by the Governor March 25, 1805. The managers named in the act were George Hollinger, John Haldeman, Jacob Long, Philip Gorner, Frederick Gailbach, and James Eagan. The sun they were to raise was not to exceed three thousand dollars. Henry Haines, Frederick Gail- bach, and John MeClure's names are recorded upon ; Henry Nicholas, Frederick Bauer, Lewis Lindemuth,

the church books as the buiklers. The church build- ing cost one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six dollars.

John Lindemuth, Maria Schmidt, Catharine Kuhn, Elizabeth Garner, Barbara Miller, Margaret Rine- hard, Catharine MeCurdy, Christina Garner, Regina

George Hollinger, being a fine organist, and one of . Spohn, Magdalena Gopfort, Elizabeth Gopfort, Mag- dalena Barns.

the leading members of the church, procured sub- seriptions for the purchase of an organ. On the 21st The present stone church was erected in 1804. day of November, 1807, this church, Manheim, Rapho, and Blaser's Churches united in calling the ' since a society of this denomination was organized in Rev. Henry B. Shaffuer, a student of theology, with the Rev. Baker, of Baltimore, and on July 10, 1808,

Maytown, with ten or twelve constituent members. It was at first a branch of the church at Bainbridge. he preached his installation sermon in Maytown. He : Services were held occasionally in the Reformed served this congregation for a number of years, and was succeeded by the Rev. O. II. Hoffheins, Thomas C. Porter, E. V. Gerhart, F. A. Gast, J. G. Fritchey, J. P. Pennybacker, R. B. Shenkel, J. P. Brown, and J. T. Resser. At present the church has supplies.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1766, and services were held in private houses for several years. | On the 25th day of May, 1770, Jacob Downer gave to Ludwig Lindemuth and Peter Thiel, trustees of | A tower was added, and the inside was remodeled

Church of God .- More than twenty-five years Church, and prayer-meetings were held at private houses. Prominent among the first members were Benjamin Herr, Frederick Reidlinger, John L. Mar- tin, Jacob Hull, Michael Sherbahan, John Bron- steter, Christian Grove, and others. The number of members gradually increased, and in 1859 a church building was erected. It is a brick structure, forty by forty-eight feet in size, plainly but well finished.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

about ten years since. This society was at first pas- torally connected with that at Mount Joy, and sub- sequently with that at Bainbridge.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- Ilalf a century since there were but a few Methodists in Maytown. Services were occasionally held in school-houses and private houses, but no place of worship was erected till 1859. In that year the present house was built and a society organized. The constituent members were Mrs. Barbara Breneman, Mrs. Nancy Stape. Mrs. Mary Beschiler, Mrs. Nancy Schroll, George Spiese, Mrs. Mary Speise, and Mrs. Margaret Dunkle.

The house is a framed building thirty-one by forty- two feet in size, and it has had only ordinary repairs. The following clergymen have been pastors : Revs. J. Cook, Joseph Gregg, John Wheeler, - Matthias, Taylor Gray, - McFarland, --- Lindermuth, - Geiger, and J. Wood, the present pastor.

Public Hall .- This building was erected by the Maytown Infantry in 1853 for an armory. In 1869 it was sold to Henry S. Book, David E. Shutter, Jere- miab Shaffner, and George Kendig. In 1870 a story was added for a grange hall, and the first story was converted into a publie hall, for which purpose it is still used. It is now owned by Abraham Collins and David Grove.

Cemeteries .- The churchyard of the Reformed Church is a cemetery, and here are entombed many of the "forefathers of the hamlet." The Lutheran churchyard was also, in accordance with ancient ens- tom, a place of sepulture; but in 1871 a cemetery association was organized, with a capital of fifteen hundred dollars in shares of ten dollars each. Be- tween three and four acres of land adjoining the Lutheran Church grounds were purchased and fitted up for a cemetery. John Hayes has been from the first the president of the association.

Industries .--- In 1855, Michael Sherbahn erected a brick-kilu at the south end of the village of May- town, and the manufacture of brick has ever since been carried on there. Benjamin Henderson became owner of the property in 1870, and in 1882 L. B. Lenhart, the present proprietor, purchased it. All varieties of brick are manufactured here, and the annual production is five hundred thousand. Ten hands are employed in the business.

Longenecker's brick-yard was started in 1820 by Frederick Sherbahn. After his death it became the property of his son Benjamin, and in 1877, after the death of latter, it was purchased by the present owner and operator, Christian Longenecker. Eight hands are employed in this yard, and the annual production is five hundred thousand bricks.

Frederick Sherbahn was a manufacturer of bricks at a very early period in the history of this town, how early cannot now be ascertained, probably before the commencement of this century.

The population of Maytown is estimated at eight hundred. Its business interests are represented by

three general stores, two confectionery and variety stores, one drug-store, two brick-yards, five cigar manufactories, one coach-shop, one wagon-shop, two blacksmith-shops, one tin-shop, three cabinet-shops, one shoe-shop, one tailor-shop, one carpet-weaver, two tobacco warehouses, one cigar-box factory, two physicians, and one dentist.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. ABRAM N. CASSEL.

Hon. Abram N. Cassel, the progenitor of the Cassel family, emigrated from Hesse-Cassel, Germany, to America about 1680, and settled in Germantown, near Philadelphia. Abram Cassel, hearing that fine land was to be obtained in Lancaster County, came thither with an elder brother in 1750 and settled in Rapho township, where they felled the forests and erected a log house.

Abram was the father of a son Abram, who married Esther Weiss and had children, -Henry, born March 12, 1776; Maria, born Dee, 13, 1779; and Abram, whose birth occurred Dee. 14, 1782. Henry, the eldest son, located at Sporting Hill, Rapho township, and in 1805 came to Marietta, where he became an influ- ential citizen and one of the pioneers in the lumber trade on the Susquehanna from Lancaster County. During the year 1812 he established an extended coal trade, having sold the product at an average price of ten dollars per ton. He organized an individual bank, which was afterward merged in the old Marietta Bank, of which he was the first president. Mr. Cas- sel married Catherine, daughter of. Jacob Neff, of Lancaster County, and had seven children, of whom Abram N., Elizabeth T., Ann C. ( Mrs. Curran), and John C. survived. The former two are still living. Mr. Cassel was the original owner of the ground on which the east portion of Marietta now stands, His death occurred at the homestead in the borough whose growth his enterprise had greatly promoted. Ilis son, Abram N., was born Jan. 28, 1810, in Ma- rietta, where until eleven years of age he pursued his studies under the direction of Joseph Jeffers and William Rankin. He then spent three years as clerk, the latter year being passed at Bainbridge, after which he returned to Marietta. At the age of fifteen he be- came an apprentice to a hatter, and after a period of two years' service acquired the trade. Having at the expiration of the third year as journeyman accumu- lated a small sum, he in 1830 began business with a partner, which was later conducted alone until the year 1848. He had meanwhile continued his studies under the direction of teachers specially employed by himself and his companions, who availed themselves of the evening hour as the only period of leisure at their disposal.

SAN. Cassel

He S. Mujer

EAST DONEGAL TOWNSHIP.

785

In 1834 he was elected one of the first school diree- tors under the common school law of Pennsylvania, and aided materially in enforcing the law. This office he held at intervals until 1844. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1837, and served during the sessions of 1837, 1838, and 1839, when he aided in fram- ing the important laws under the Constitution of 1838.

Mr. Cassel was married in 1847 to Mary Jane, danghter of Jacob Stahl, of Marietta. Of the seven children born to them but two survive,-Henry Burd and George Lincoln. To the public spirit and energy of Mr. Cassel and his father the borough of Marietta is largely indebted for its development and progress. The former is one of the promoters and builders of the Lancaster and Marietta Turnpike Company, of which he has been an officer since its organization. He has also participated in the management of the Marietta and Mount Joy Turnpike Company. IIe has been for years a member of the Board of Coun- cilmen of the borough. In polities, Mr. Cassel early affiliated with the Anti-Masonic party, and later with the Whigs, from which the transition to the ranks of | the Republican party was not difficult. Ile was in his religious belief originally a Mennonite, but in 1848 became connected with the Presbyterian Church of Marietta, of which he is an elder.

HENRY S. MUSSER.

Mr. Musser's paternal grandsire was Henry Musser, of German lineage, and a resident of the township of East Donegal, Lancaster Co., where he followed farm- ing pursuits, and where his death occurred. He was twice married, and had children,-Jacob, Henry, Ben- jamin, Martha ( Mrs. Hoffman), Susan (Mrs. Gish), and Annie (Mrs. Engle). Jacob Musser was born June 16, 1797, on the homestead, his place of resi- dence until his removal to a farm near the borough of Marietta, where he died in 1831. He married Miss Martha Stauffer, of East Donegal township, and had children,-Henry S., Annie ( Mrs. Graybill), Eliza- beth (who died at an early age), Martha ( Mrs. Lin- demuth), Jacob, whose death occurred in his youth, and Abram. Henry S. was born July 16, 1820, on the paternal estate, a portion of which he now ocen- pies. llis youth was not marked by circumstances of special interest, a period at school and subsequent labor upon the farm with his step-father, John Miller, having occupied his time until the year of his ma- jority, when he engaged with Mr. Miller in the lumber business. Their capital was small, Mr. MIus- ser having invested as his share the patrimony re- ceived from his father's estate. On the death of his step-father in 1867 the business had greatly increased, and represented sales to the amount of fifty thon-und dollars per year. Joseph Miller, a son of his former partner, is now interested in the business.

Mr. Musser was married in 1847 to Miss Anna Mary, daughter of Jacob Grissinger, of Enst Done-

gal township. Their children are Elizabeth (Mrs. Johnson), Stephen G., Ada, Annie, who died when thirteen years of age ; Franklin, whose death resulted from an accident, and E. Stanton and Henry L.

Mr. Musser's political sympathies are with the Re- I publican party. He has served as school director, and for two terms held the office of inspector of county prisons. He is also director of the First Na- tional Bank of Marietta. He is a supporter in re- ligion of the denomination known as River Brethren, as also of the United Brethren, his sons being edu- cated at the college of the latter in Lebanon County, Pa.

HENRY M. ENGLE.

In matters pertaining to horticulture and pomology the subject of this sketch may be regarded as the fore- most authority in the county. The great-grandfather of Mr. Engle was Ulrich, who emigrated from Switz- erland and settled at what is now known as Wildeat Station on the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the town-

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ship of East Donegal, Lancaster Co. He had five daughters and three sons, among whom was Jacob, an infant when with his parents he crossed the ocean. The latter married Mi- Sgroning Flock of Mann township, and had children, the youngest being Henry, who grew to manhood and married Hannah, daughter of Henry Myers, of Franklin County, Pa. Their children are Henry M., Mary (Mrs. LPligenerker),

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

John B., Jacob M., Martha ( Mrs. Stauffer), Daniel, Abram M., Annie (Mrs. Musser), Jesse, and several who died in infancy. The death of Mr. Engle oc- curred at Conoy Creek, in Conoy township, near Bainbridge, about the year 1848. His son, Henry MI., was born April 11, 1819, on the homestead farm, where his youth was spent, partly at school, but chiefly at labor. He married in November, 1839, Miss Eliza-

He was married on the 24th of January, 1878, to Miss Christie Manning, of Manor township, Laneas- ter Co., who is the mother of one daughter, Blanche. Mr. Lindemuth is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party, and avails himself of the priv- ilege of every American citizen in casting his annual beth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Brenneman, of : ballot. Aside from this, he devotes little time to the West Donegal, who was also of German ancestry. political issues of the day, and never participates in the struggles for official preferment. He has filled various offices of trust and responsibility, and by in- tegrity and capacity won the confidence and regard Their children were Enos B., Mary (Mrs. Engle), Uriah B., Annie (Mrs. Staman), and Ezra. By a second marriage to Miss Lizzie, danghter of ffenry Musser, Mr. Engle had one son, Horace. He con- | of his cotemporaries. He is keenly alive to the in- tracted a third union with Miss Fannie, danghter of terests of the borough of his residence, and identifies himself with all public measures tending to its ad- vancement. Hle is an attendant upon the services of the Presbyterian Church, and a supporter of all the John and Catherine Ni -- ly, also of German extrac-, tion, who has one daughter, Jennie, living. Mr. Engle was in his political preferences formerly a Whig, and later became a Republican, the casting of | religious denominations of the borough.

his ballot being a matter of conviction and not of fidelity to his party. He represented his district in the State Legislature during the session of 1870-71, and served as member of the Committees on Agricul- ture and Education. He has also officiated as school director of the township.

Mr. Engle has been for many years largely iden- tified with the agricultural and pomological interests of the State. Ile was one of the organizers of the County Agricultural and IForticultural Society, and for five years its president. He was also one of the first members of the State Board of Agriculture. He is a member of the State Horticultural Association, and has been for years its vice-president. He has been for an extended period chairman of the Fruit Committee of Pennsylvania for the United States Pomological Society. Mr. Engle is in religion a sup- porter of the religious organization known as River Brethren.

JOHN Z. LINDEMUTH. .

- Ludwig Lindemuth, the great-grandfather of John Z., was of German parentage. His son, Peter, who lived on the paternal inheritance, was the father of : Ludwig, who resided on a part of the homestead which was bequeathed to him, and situated near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa. He married Su-an, daughter of Conrad Ziegler, of East Donegal township, and had children,-Joseph, Lewis Z., John Z., Abram, and Elias. Both Mr. Lindemuth and his wife died in advanced years. Their son, John Z., the subject of this biographical sketch, was born on the 20th of March, 1825, at the family home, where in his youth attendance at school was varied by farm labor. Having in 1848 decided upon an active business vo- cation, he removed to Elk County, Pa., and became actively interested in the manufacture of lumber and in mercantile ventures. After a residence of twenty years at this point he returned in 1868 to Lancaster,

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 55

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