USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. and A.M., 1785-1910, with biographical sketches of charter members, past masters and present officers, together with a complete list of members of the lodge > Part 25
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He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on February II, 1857, was elected Junior Warden in 1861, Senior Warden in 1862, and Worshipful Master in 1863. He withdrew from the Lodge January 12, 1870, and afterwards became a member of Skerrett Lodge No. 343, at Cochransville, Pa.
He was also a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43.
WILLIAM E. HEINITSH. [W. M., 1865 to 1866.]
WILLIAM E. HEINITSH was a son of Mr. John F. Heinitsh. He was born at Lancaster, Pa., August 10, 1827. He was educated at the Lititz Academy. He was engaged in the wholesale notion business on East King Street, corner of Christian Street. Later he was engaged in the sale of paints, picture frames and musical merchandise on Orange Street, east of North Queen Street. He was possessed of an excellent musical talent, and took an active part in the musical organizations of his day in Lancaster. He was for a number of years leader of the choir of St. Mary's Catholic church, and afterwards and up to the time of his death, was the leader of the choir of Trinity Lutheran church. He died November 24, 1867, and was buried with Masonic ceremonies in Woodward Hill Ceme- tery.
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He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 September 30, 1857, was elected Junior Warden in 1863, Senior Warden in 1864, and Wor- shipful Master in 1865.
He was a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and a member of the Chapter to the date of his death.
WILLIAM A. MORTON. [W. M., 1866 to 1867.]
WILLIAM A. MORTON was born in Lancaster, Pa., October 12, 1830. He was educated at the Common Schools and at Franklin College. He was apprenticed to G. W. Hammersly to learn print- ing. In 1853 he was letter carrier under Postmaster Reigart, he being the only letter carrier the city possessed at that time. He filled the position 37/2 years, and was afterwards Clerk in the Post Office 47/2 years under Postmaster Swarr. In July, 1864, he became a member of the firm of Cooper, Sanderson & Co., who became the proprietors and publishers of the Lancaster Intelligencer. In 1867, he severed his connection with the Intelligencer, and was employed in the store of Deaner & Co., where he remained about five years, when he retired to his father's farm for one or two years. In 1876, he was employed as book-keeper of the Intelligencer office, which position he held for many years. He was a member of Common Council two years, a member of Select Council six years, and Mayor of Lancaster City from 1886-1888, was Jury Commissioner, and a member of the Lancaster School Board from 1866 to 1884. He died in this city February 22, 1892.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 March 8, 1854, was elected Junior Warden in 1865, and Worshipful Master in 1866. He withdrew from Lodge No. 43, May 11, 1870, and assisted in the formation of Lamberton Lodge No. 476, in which Lodge he was also elected and served as Worshipful Master.
In 1882, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Lancaster District, which office he held until 1886.
He was a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, Past T. I. G. M. of Goodwin Council No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., Past
History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M. 3II
Commander of Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T., and Past T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
SAMUEL H. REYNOLDS. [W. M., 1867 to 1868.]
SAMUEL H. REYNOLDS, EsQ., was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1831. He was educated at Dickinson College, from which he graduated in 1850. He pursued his legal studies in Centre county, under the direction of the Hon. James T. Hale, and was admitted to the bar in the autumn of 1854. The succeeding year he spent in a prospecting tour of the West. Re- turning to Pennsylvania, he subsequently removed to Lancaster, where he opened an office and commenced the practice of his pro- fession, rapidly acquiring a large and lucrative business, and soon became one of the leaders of his profession. He was elected City Solicitor in 1857, was appointed Notary Public by Governor Packer, was a member of the School Board for nine years. He was a dele- gate to several State Democratic Conventions, and was a member of the "Peace Convention" at Harrisburg, at the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1868, he was the Democratic nominee for Con- gress against the late Thaddeus Stevens, and was at one time a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court, in both of which contests he received a flattering vote. In 1872, he was chosen by the Demo- cratic Convention as Delegate at Large to the Constitutional Con- vention. He was a member of the banking house of Evans, McEvoy & Co., and later was President of the Peoples National Bank of this city until his death. He was actively engaged in the practice of his profession to the end of his life, which occurred September 10, 1889. He was an honorable, eloquent and distinguished lawyer and citizen, an ornament to society, and as an active participant in public affairs he was brave, learned and faithful.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on March 12, 1856, was elected Senior Warden in 1866, and Worshipful Master in 1867.
He was a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, of Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T., and of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
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DAVID N. RUSSELL.
[W. M., 1868 to 1869.]
DAVID N. RUSSELL was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch- Irish parents, June 1, 1830. At the age of seven years he came to this country with his parents and they settled in Philadelphia, where he attended the public schools and served an apprenticeship at the machine business. He came to Lancaster at the time the locomotive works were first started in 1853 or 1854, and remained in the employ of the company and of their successors, the Norrises, until after the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he went to Washington, at the request of Captain (afterwards Rear-Admiral) Dahlgren, and was employed three years at the navy-yard on ordnance.
After the war he removed to Lititz, Lancaster county, and for three years was engaged in the liquor business.
For a number of years he has been employed as fireman and machinist in the Washington, D. C., navy-yard. He died April 20, 1902.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 July II, 1855, was elected Junior Warden in 1867, and Worshipful Master in 1868.
He was a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M., and of Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T.
ADAM Z. RINGWALT.
[W. M., 1869 to 1870.]
ADAM Z. RINGWALT was born in Carnarvon township, Lancaster county, January 2, 1828. He received his education at the public schools. In early life he worked upon the farm. He was for a time in mercantile business in Waynesburg, Chester county, then ap- prenticed at tailoring in New Holland; in a short time he obtained his release and became engaged in Eaby & Lightner's mercantile and forwarding store in Concord. He remained with this firm until they discontinued business, then was employed in Amos Diller's store in New Holland for four years, then in the mercantile business
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in New Milltown, in partnership with T. J. Ringwalt. One year later he sold out to his partner and opened business in New Holland. In 1858 he came to Lancaster and engaged in the grocery business on East King Street above Duke Street, afterwards in Centre Square, where he added wholesale liquors to his business. Later engaged in the same business on West King Street, west of Water Street. In 1879 he was elected Jury Commissioner and served three years. He was twice elected and served as a member of Common Councils, and twice a member of the Lancaster School Board. He died in this city in October 5, 1889.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43, May 16, 1864, was elected Senior Warden in 1868, and Worshipful Master in 1869.
He was a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and served in the office of Scribe. He was also a member of Lancaster Com- mandery No. 13, K. T., and a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., and filled the office of Principal Conductor of the Work.
GEORGE K. REED. [W. M., 1870 to 1871.]
GEORGE K. REED was born in Lancaster, Pa., December 22, 1826. He attended the public schools of this city until the age of eighteen years, when he obtained employment in C. Hager's dry goods and grocery store as errand boy, from which position he gradually rose to that of chief book-keeper of the establishment. In 1847 he became the book-keeper for the County Treasurer. While thus employed, he manufactured, during his spare hours, shoe-blacking, and also trafficked in lime and roofing slate for the Peach Bottom slate quarries. In 1849, he started a private banking- house, there being at that time no institution of that nature in the city or county. In January, 1850, he opened his establishment under the name of J. F. Shroder & Company. This venture proved perfectly successful until 1857, when, owing to depression, due to a great financial crisis, the business no longer proving remunerative, was discontinued. In 1858, he formed a new partnership under
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the name of Reed, McGrann & Co., which did a large and prosperous . business until 1891, when it was consolidated with the Conestoga Na- tional Bank, and of which he was an active officer during the remain- der of his life. He had served as City Councilman, being at one time President of the Common Council. He was for a number of years Manager and Treasurer of the Lancaster Gas Company, one of the Directors of the National Railroad Company, and had also filled many other positions of trust and honor in various associations and corporations with which he had been connected, as director, treas- urer, or trustee. He died in this city May 16, 1897.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43, February 10, 1864, was elected Junior Warden in 1868, Senior Warden in 1869, and Wor- shipful Master in 1870.
He was also a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., and a member of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
WILLIAM A. WILSON. [W. M., 1871 to 1872.]
WM. A. WILSON, EsQ., was born at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., on December 27, 1839. He was educated at the public schools and at the State Normal School at Millersville. He read law in the office of George M. Kline, Esq., and was admitted to practice at the Lancaster bar in 1865. He spent two years in the Southern States, and in 1867 returned to Lancaster and commenced the practice of his profession, and continued to be actively so en- gaged to the time of his death.
He was for four or five years a member of the Lancaster School Board, and for about the same period a member of Common Councils. In 1879 he took a trip across the Continent, and in 1881 he made an extended tour of Europe. His death occurred in this city February, 1887, and he was buried with Masonic honors in Lancaster Cemetery.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43, September 14, 1865, and, by dispensation, took his three degrees that same evening.
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He was elected Junior Warden in December, 1869, Senior Warden in 1870, and Worshipful Master in 1871. He had for twelve years been a member of the Grievance Committee of the Lodge.
He was a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., a member of Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T., and a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
JEREMIAH ROHRER .* [W. M., 1872 to 1873.]
JEREMIAH ROHRER was born at Lebanon, Pa., May 29, 1827. At the age of four years, his father moved to Middletown, Pa., the birthplace of his mother. After receiving a common school education, he learned the carpenter trade at Middletown, after- wards following this trade for some years, and from 1852 to 1857 being a partner in the door and sash factory known as Rohrer & Shott. In 1859-60 he served as Burgess of Middletown. In March, 1864, he moved to Lancaster, and entered into the wholesale wine and liquor business, which he has continued to the present time.
He served nine months in the war of the Rebellion as Major of the 127th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was Prison Inspector for three years, and in 1872 was elected Register of Wills, which office he filled for three years. He also served in the Common Council of the City in 1887-88, being a member of the special Water Committee to construct the new water works, and after- wards elected one of the Commissioners to administer the water department, which position he occupied until the Commission was abolished. He served in the Select Council in 1889-91. For nine- teen years he has been a Trustee of the Home for Friendless Children and is at this time its President. In January, 1906, .Governor Pennypacker appointed him a member of the Thaddeus Stevens Industrial School Building Commission, on which he served until March II, 1908, when he resigned. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Stevens Orphans Home from May, 1899, until May, 1908, when he resigned on account of advancing years.
* Past Master Brother Jeremiah Rohrer died October 23, 1910.
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He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 November 21, 1867, was elected Junior Warden in 1870, Senior Warden in 1871, and Wor- shipful Master in 1872. He was a member and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lodge for twenty-two years, and was the chief instrument in the various improvements of the Lodge property while he held this important office.
He is a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. and S. M., a Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T., and a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
In June, 1881, he raised his son, Jacob B. Rohrer, to the sublime degree of Master Mason, in April, 1885, he conferred the same degree upon his son Past Master George R. Rohrer, in 1887 upon the third son Grant Rohrer, and in 1890 upon the fourth son Howard Rohrer, and this is the only instance in the history of the Lodge, of a father conferring the degrees upon four sons, and it is doubtful if this record was rivaled by any Lodge in the United States.
B. FRANK BRENEMAN. [W. M., 1873 to 1874.]
B. FRANK BRENEMAN was born at Camargo, Lancaster county, Pa., November 21, 1837. He received his education at the old Strasburg Academy, at that time one of the most flourishing in- stitutions in the State. At an early age he began business in the city of Lancaster, but, after a few years, removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he built up a large business in wholesale paper. In 1868, he returned to Lancaster, on account of failing health, and became a member of the well-known firm of Flinn & Breneman. In 1880, he disposed of his interest in the firm and devoted a year to foreign travel; and, on his return to this country, spent con- siderable time in New York and Philadelphia, until 1883, when he again became a member of the old firm by purchasing his former interest, and continued in this business to the time of his death.
He had always taken a lively interest in, and been actively identified with, every enterprise that could add to the development.
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of his native city. The Lancaster manufactories; the Stevens House; the Quarryville Railroad, of which he was a Director; the Lancaster Watch Company, of which he was for a time President; all received a liberal amount of his time, attention and means.
He, for several years, took an active interest in the National Guard of our State, and served as Major and Ordnance Officer on General Reeder's staff.
In his later years he traveled extensively, and was a well informed genial gentleman. He died in this city December 31, 1905, and was buried with Masonic honors from his late home, corner of Orange and Lime Streets.
Bro. Breneman was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on May 12, 1869. He was elected Junior Warden in 1871, Senior Warden in 1872, and Worshipful Master in December, 1873.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of this Masonic District in December, 1880, and filled the office until December, 1882. He was representative to the Grand Lodge from Lodge No. 43, which position he has filled for many years.
He was also a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, a member of Goodwin Council, No. 19, R., S. E. & S. M., a Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and Past T. P. G. M. of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
He served as Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania from 1788 to 1882, and on June 12, 1882, was elected R. E. Grand Commander.
During his administration as Grand Commander, occurred on October 26, 1882, the Grand Templar display in connection with the bi-centennial celebration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
JOHN B. WARFEL. [W. M., 1874 to 1875.]
JOHN B. WARFEL was born in Paradise township, Lancaster county, Pa., September 19, 1830. In early life he worked at the blacksmith trade. At twenty years of age he entered Lewisburg University, where he remained two years; then taught school until
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1854, when he commenced farming. He also carried on surveying and conveyancing. In 1855, he was elected a Justice of the Peace for Paradise township, and reelected in 1860. He served for several years as District Superintendent of Public Schools. In 1863, he was appointed a Clerk in the Pension Office at Washington, D. C. In 1865, he entered Columbia College as a law student, and gradu- ated in 1867, when he was admitted to practice at the Lancaster Bar. In April, 1867, he was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Ninth Pennsylvania District (Lancaster county) and served until May 1, 1869. In 1869, he was elected State Senator from Lancaster County, reelected in 1872, and again in 1875. In 1876, he was chosen one of the Republican Electors for Pennsylvania. He served for many years as a member and President of the Lan- caster City School Board, President of the Lancaster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and was President of the Howard Association for a number of years. He was a member and President of the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School at Millersville, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lancaster Cemetery; President of the Henry G. Long Asylum, and President of the Thaddeus Stevens Industrial Institution; he was also a director of the Lancaster County National Bank.
In 1877, in connection with Mr. J. M. W. Geist, he commenced the publication of The New Era of Lancaster, a daily and weekly newspaper, in which business he was engaged until 1897, when he sold his interests to The New Era Printing Company, retired from the active business and devoted the remaining years to the duties of the offices of honor and trust which he occupied. He died in this city April 18, 1908, and was buried with Masonic honors in Lancaster Cemetery.
He was made a Mason in Dawson Lodge No. 16, Washington, D. C., from which he demitted and was admitted a member of Lodge No. 43, July 8, 1868. He was elected Senior Warden in 1873, and Worshipful Master in 1874. He was for a number of years annually elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lodge.
He was a member of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, of Goodwin
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Council No. 19, R., S. E. &. S M., and of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and a member of the Board of Trustees of this latter body. He was also a member of Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R.
GEORGE R. WELCHANS. [W. M., 1875 to 1876.]
GEORGE R. WELCHANS, M. D., was born in the city of Lancaster, Pa., January 3, 1845, attended the public schools, and graduated at the High School in 1861. In September of the same year he went to Philadelphia, served an apprenticeship at the drug and prescription business, and attended the College of Pharmacy. In the spring of 1864, he returned to Lancaster and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John L. Atlee. He attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institu- tion in 1867. After an extended trip through the Western States, he commenced the practice of his profession in this city, and is still actively engaged in the same. He has also been engaged in the drug business in this city. He has several times been physician to the Lancaster County Hospital and Insane Asylum, surgeon to the Pennsylvania Railroad, and was one of the Board of Medical Examiners of the U. S. Pensioners. He is a member of the County, State, and National Medical Associations, and was President and Treasurer of the City and County Medical Society. He was one of the Trustees of the Home for Friendless Children of Lancaster.
He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 43 on June 20, 1871, was elected Junior Warden in 1873, Senior Warden in 1874, and Wor- shipful Master in 1875.
He had for many years been chairman of the Charity Committee of the Lodge.
He was the author of the History of Lodge No. 43 of the first one hundred years of its existence, published in 1885.
He is a Past High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter, No. 43, and served as its Representative to the Grand Chapter. He is a Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of Goodwin Council No. 19, R., S.
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E. and S. M .; also a Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery, No. 13, K. T.
He was in June, 1885, appointed by Grand Commander Joseph Alexander, Jr., Division Commander of Division No. 12, K. T., comprising the Commanderies of Lancaster and York counties, which position he occupied for a number of years.
He was a member of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection, 14°, De Joinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 16°, Kilwinning Chapter Rose Croix, 18°; and of Philadelphia Consistory, 32° A. A. S. R.
JAMES PYLE WICKERSHAM. [W. M., 1876 to 1877.]
JAMES PYLE WICKERSHAM, LL. D., was born in Newlin township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1825. He was brought up on his father's farm, laboring and studying alternately until he went to Unionville Academy, where he was, at the age of sixteen, an assistant teacher. He afterwards taught in one of the common schools of the district. In 1845, he became principal of the Marietta Academy, where he remained ten years. He relinquished this posi- tion to accept that of Superintendent of Schools in Lancaster county, and, shortly after assuming its duties, he founded the Normal Institute at Millersville, out of which was eventually developed the first State Normal School, and, in fact, the whole Normal School system. In 1856, he became the Principal of this school, which he made one of the most flourishing institutions in the country. He remained there ten years, when he accepted the position of State Superintendent of Common Schools, which position was first tendered him by Governor Curtin in 1866, and to which he was afterwards twice appointed by Governor Greary, and continued by Governors Hartranft and Hoyt until 1881. He had been re- peatedly offered similar positions in other States and abroad, also a portfolio as Cabinet Minister by President Sarmiento, of the Argen- tine Republic, all of which he declined. He was one of the founders of the Lancaster County Teachers' Association, and also of the State and National Associations, of which he had been at various
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times President. In 1869, he was elected President of the National Superintendents' Association. His papers on the subject of Edu- cation have attracted much attention, both at home and abroad.
He is also the author of two books on education, one entitled "School Economy," and the other "Methods of Instruction," which are well known in the United States and in Europe. These works have been translated into the French, Spanish and Japanese lan- guages. He is also the author of the "History of Education in Pennsylvania," from date of earliest settlements on the Delaware. At the request of Governor Curtin, he prepared the original bill providing for destitute soldiers' and sailors' orphans, and in 1871 the Legislature entrusted to him the entire management of the Soldiers' Orphans' Schools. From 1870 to 1881 he edited the Penn- sylvania School Journal, an important and widely-circulated educa- tional periodical. He was President of the Inquirer Printing and Publishing Company [Wickersham Publishing Co.] since its organ- ization to the time of his death.
In 1863, just before the battle of Gettysburg, he organized the 47th Regiment P. V. M., and marched at its head after the retreating enemy to the Potomac River. The regiment was mustered in for ninety days, and served about half that time.
He was President of the Linnæan Society of Lancaster, Vice- President of the Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, Trustee of the Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania, Trustee of the National School of Elocution and Oratory at Philadelphia, Director of the Farmers National Bank of Lancaster, Director of the Lancaster Gas Company, Trustee of the Children's Home, Lancaster, and a member of the Lancaster City School Board. In 1882, he was appointed by President Arthur United States Minister to Denmark, and after residing at Copenhagen and filling the office one summer, he was obliged to return home on account of his health.
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