USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical record of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 13
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at the Centennial, Franklin Institute and Pennsyl- vania State Fair. Ilis trade extends over the mid- dle southern and western states.
November 18, 1862, at Lancaster, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Fordney, a native of Lancaster. as was her father, Jacob Fordney, and her grandfather, Jacob; the latter was a tanner of buckskin and a manufacturer of buckskin eloth- ing. ITis old tannery stood near No. 33 South Queen Street. Three brothers came from the line between France and Switzerland, and located in Lancaster; they were Huguenots. The Fordney family were large land owners in Pennsylvania at an early day. The original family name was Forthenieux, and was changed from that to Fortenee, and finally to Fordney. Mrs. Fordney's father was a gun- smith, and conducted a shop at the corner of Orange and Prince Streets. He was a Henry Clay Whig, and had a log cabin in his yard. He manu- factured guns and sold them to the Government, as well as to the dealers. Ile died at the age of seventy years, a respected citizen and a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. Mrs. Schaum's mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Ackerman, was a native of Lancaster, and died young. Mrs. Schaum was her only child. She was reared by her Grandfather Fordney.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children: John G., a plumber of Lancaster; Philip Il .. a member of the firm of Dean & Schaum, elec- tricians; and Albert L., a clerk in Lancaster. The two oldest of these children are married.
ILLIAM GOOD is Superintendent of the Lancaster County Asylum, Hos- pital and Almshouse, a very responsi- ble position, the duties of which he discharges with conscientious and commendable ability. The Almshouse is very commodious and can accommo- date over four hundred persons. The Insane Asylum can give shelter to one hundred and ten patients, and the Hospital in connection with these has a capacity of one hundred persons. The build- ings are situated on the Philadelphia Pike and are
JOHN D. SKILES.
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built on approved modern plans. They are kept in most immaculate order, and the general manage- ment of affairs reflects great honor upon the Super- intendent.
William Good was born in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County. September 18, 1835, and is of German descent. Ilis paternal grand- father, Michael Good, operated a small farm in West Earl Township, and manufactured eradles on a small scale. Our subjeet's father, Cyrus Good, was born on the old homestead carried on by his father and learned the cooper's trade. He farmed on a tract of land comprising forty-five acres in Upper Leacock Township, near Bareville, and he also had a small cooperage. He died on his farm at the age of sixty-eight years, a man who was much respected by his fellows and one who was of an industrious and honorable character. His wife, Levina, a native of the same township, was a daughter of George Bear, who was a farmer of Earl Township and of German ancestry. The mother died when about seventy-nine years of age, leaving four children to mourn her loss, two of her children having previously passed away.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, William Good passed his early days in the usual manner of farmer lads, attending the district school. He at- tended the primary schools conducted on the subscription plan, but later was a student in the public schools. The youth learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until he was about twen- ty-three years of age. He then married and be- gan farming, renting a place until 1883, when he purchased a property comprising fifty-two acres in East Earl Township, some three miles east of New llolland. To its cultivation and improve- ment he devoted himself for the succeeding ten years, and since that time has rented his farm.
In April, 1893, Mr. Good was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Steward of the Lancaster County Asylum, Hospital and Almshouse, having previously served for about six years as a Director on the Board. Hle was elected to serve in that capacity in 1887 and was re-elected in 1890. The Poor Farm, which is well improved, consists of one hundred and ninety-six acres, part of which is in, and the remainder adjoining, the city limits. In
such a position as Mr. Good occupies the ntmost good judgment, firmness and patience are required to deal with all classes of people, and especially those who are not noted for being very appreciative. When Mr. Good resided in Earl Township, he held a number of public offices, having been Supervisor, Assessor. Auditor, etc. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, having always given his warm and zealous support to that party. lle owns two good farms, one of fifty-two acres and the other having seventy acres within its bounds. As one of the Directors in the Lancaster County Mutual Live-stock Insurance Company, he is interested and in many public improvements he has borne an interested part.
When twenty-three years of age our subject was married in Upper Leacock Township to Miss Savilla Sweigert, whose birth occurred there, and whose father, Charles Sweigert, followed farming in that locality. Seven children have graced the union of our subject and wife, and the family cir- cle is yet unbroken by death. Emma is the wife of Reuben Sensing, a farmer of East Lampeter Township. Alice became the wife of John Musser, who operates a farm in l'pper Leacock Township. Laura, Mrs. A. G. Rutter, lives on the old home- stead. Roland carries on the other farm owned by our subject. Charles and William have their home in Earl Township, and Annie resides with her parents.
OIN D. SKILES is a prominent and worthy old settler of Lancaster, having been actively identified with its upbuilding, and during the years that he lias passed within its limits has seen it inerease from a town of about eight thousand inhabitants up to its present number of thirty-live to forty thousand citizens. For years he has been engaged in packing and wholesale dealing in leaf tobacco. He was one of the organ- izers, and since that time has been a Director in the Lancaster Trust Company. With the Penn- sylvania Traction Company he is similarly con- nected, and at various times has assisted materially
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in the organization of local industries and con- cerns.
Since the Fulton National Bank was organized Mr. Skiles has been one of the Directors, and for twenty years has been Treasurer of the Mechanics' Building & Loan Association. For a long time he has been a Trustee of the Lancaster Cemetery Association, and in many other enterprises has lent his support. Being interested in educational affairs, he is a Trustee of the Franklin and Mar- shall College, and of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church. Religiously he is a mem- ber of St. Paul's German Reformed Church, of which he is a Trustee.
The birth of our subject took place April 29, 1829, in Leacock Township, where his boyhood was passed. At the age of ten years he entered the general store of Moses Eby at Intercourse, where he clerked for three years. For the suc- ceeding three years he was employed in Wingers store in West Earl Township, and in 1845 secured employment with Michael Peiper, a grocer in Lan- caster. At the end of five years he entered the dry-goods store of Fondersmith & Herr, where he continued for about two years. On the expiration of that time he embarked in business for himself as a grocer at the corner of East King and Duke Streets, which was his headquarters until 1865. Then buying out a dry-goods business on East King Street, he devoted his attention to that branch of trade until 1878, when he sold out. Ile owns a store building on East King Street, and considerable other property in this city, which he has acquired by means of industry and attention to his business affairs. In 1861 he had invested in a leaf tobacco business in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Frey. under the firm name of Skiles & Frey, who are now the oldest in this trade in Lancaster. Since 1878 Mr. Skiles has de- voted all of his time to the tobacco interest, and the firm handles from live to six thousand cases a year, which are packed in their warehouse, located on North Duke Street. This store room and building are as large as any in Lancaster, having a capacity of five thousand cases, and the business has grown to extensive proportions.
December 1, 1854, Mr. Skiles married Emily M.
Frey, and their only child, William P., died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Skiles is the daughter of Jacob Frey, one of the carly settlers and for- merly a merchant of Lancaster. The residence of our subject and his wife is at No. 438 North Duke Street.
Socially, Mr. Skiles belongs to Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M .; Chapter No. 43, R. A. M .; Com- mandery No. 13, K. T., and to Perfection Lodge. For several years he was a member of the Common Council from the Second Ward, and was President for one year. He is active in the ranks of the Re- publican party, and has frequently been a delegate to State Conventions. In 1884 he was elected prothonotary of the county on the Republican ticket, and served acceptably in that capacity for a term of three years.
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T HE VERY REV. ANTHONY F. KAUL, V. F., is the founder and present pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, of Lau- caster, and is also Dean of York and Lancaster Counties. Ilis title of Dean was conferred upon him by the Bishop of the diocese in July, 1893. June 13, 1894, the patron feast of the church his silver jubilee, commemorating the quarter of a century that has elapsed since he was ordained to the priesthood, was celebrated and was a memorial occasion.
The birth of Father Kaul occurred in Sinsheim, Baden, Germany, June 8, 1846, and his father, Pirmin, was born in the same locality, being a son of John Kaul, of French deseent. The trade of Pirmin Kaul was that of tailor, and he also en- gaged in the manufacture of epaulets and military regalia. Ile was married November 28, 1830, to Miss Magdelene, daughter of George Philip Dick, Burgomaster of Grumbach, Baden, in which place occurred the birth of Mrs. Kaul. In the spring of 1847 the parents set out for America, leaving Antwerp in an English sailing-vessel, and after a
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stormy voyage of forty-seven days landed in New York City, July 7. Going to Philadelphia they were there for a short time, and then for six months were residents of Reading. On the Ist of April, 1848, the father located on a farm two miles from Adamstown, this county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until October 15, 1852. From that year until 1862 he was engaged in the hotel business in Reading and then retired to pri- vate life. In 1877 he came to make his home in this city, where his death occurred June 5, 1883, at the age of seventy-five years, as the date of his birth was May 20, 1808. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Catholic. His wife, who was born February 20, 1804, is still living, and is making her home with our subject. Of her seven children, all but one grew to maturity and are still living. Annette became the wife of Christian Burger, of Reading Pa .; John II., a re- tired merchant, lives in the city; Joseph, now known as Brother Leopold, is Professor of music in Notre Dame University of South Bend, Ind .; Mary W., who is housekeeper for Father Kaul. also teaches painting and kindred branches at the Sacred Heart Academy; Elizabeth, now Sister M. Stanislaus, a sister of the Holy Cross and an adept in music, is Superior of the Sacred Heart Academy of Lancaster. Father Anthony Kaul is the young- est of the family.
The early years of our subject were passed in the usual way, he attending the public and parochial schools at Reading, Pa. In 1862 he became a stu- dent at St. Charles' Preparatory Seminary at Glen Riddle, Pa. This school was then under the direc- tion of the late Bishop Shanahan, and after com- pleting the classical course Father Kaul entered St. Charles' Theological Seminary on Eighteenth and Race Streets, Philadelphia, where he pursued his philosophical and theological course, and was ordained August 22, 1869, at Harrisburg by Bishop Jeremiah F. Shanahan, first bishop of that diocese. The young priest was sent to Laneaster as assistant to the late Father F. L. Neufeld, of St. Joseph's Church, arriving here September 24. 1869. In the spring of the following year it was decided to form a new parish from St. Joseph's Congregation, the boundary lines being set by the
bishop. This comprised all east of North Water, South Queen and Strawberry Streets. The church, which is located at the corner of Ann and Orange Streets, was founded in April, 1870, by Father Kaul, who worked indefatigably to achieve this end. The lot on which the structure stands is 215x340 feet. was purchased for $3,500, and at that time was only used as a cornfield. The cor- ner stone was laid August 14, 1870, in the pres- ence of a large concourse, Rev. Father McGin- nis, of Danville, Pa., being deputed by the Very Rev. Bernard Keenan, Administrator of the dio- cese during the absence of the Bishop at the Vati- can Council at Rome, to take charge of the cere- mony. For the first four years the basement was used for church services, this portion being dedi- cated April 9, 1871, by Rt .- Rev. Bishop Shanahan. The upper and audience room was completed and dedicated May 17. 1875.
The church is built of brick and ornamented with brown stone. The buttresses are capped with the same kind of stone. The entire length of the building is one hundred and forty-two feet and is sixty-five feet wide. The height of the walls above the foundation is thirty-eight feet; the height to the cone of the roof being about eighty feet. In the front center of the church is a tower of brick about one hundred and fifteen feet in height, which will make the steeple the highest in the city.
The church, which stands back some distance from Orange Street, is entered by three massive doors of solid walnut, which lead into a roomy and well arranged vestibule. From the vestibule are doors that lead into the church and a stairway that leads into the gallery. The audience room is decidedly the handsomest in the city. It is about one hundred feet long, sixty-three feet wide and fifty feet high from the floor to the top of the arched ceiling. The wainscoting, pews and other wood work are finished in walnut and ash. The chancel, which is raised four steps, is enclosed with a heavy walnut railing and carpeted with fine brussels.
The ceiling is formed by a Gothic arch spring- ing from the side walls and flattened at the top. Between the windows are heavy Gothic ribs rest- ing on brackets and reaching to the flattened
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part of the ceiling. From each end of these mas- sive ribs, which are beautifully frescoed. depend large drops, two feet or more in length, of hand- some pattern and finished in gold.
The gas fixtures comprise ten pedestal liglits, being of bronze and gold of new and beautiful de- sign, and placed in two rows, equally distant from the middle and side aisles. On either side of the altar are scroll brackets with five burners each, and suspended from the ceiling in front of the altar hangs a large sanctuary lamp, which is kept con- stantly burning. This is surmounted by a beanti- ful glass globe. rose red in color.
Immediately behind the principal altar is a life- size and very excellent picture of the crucifixion painted by Reingruber, the well known artist of this city. On either side are paintings of equal size representing the nativity of Christ and the adoration of the Magi. On the east and west slopes of the ceiling are portraits of all the apos- tles.
The fourteen large oil paintings representing the stations and framed in walnut are copies of De Schwanden. the famous Munich artist. On either side of the sanctuary arch is an angel with out spread wings and folded hands, and above the arch is an angel holding a scroll bearing the words "Ecce tabernaculum Dei." The shading of the ground work is stone color, but this is so hand- somely intermingled with brighter shades and hues as to be impossible to describe. Nearly every panel contains the picture or portrait of a saint, and around these are twined a perfect wilderness of arches. columns. ribs, scrolls, etc.
seph's. They are of handsome design. and on them are placed respectively statues of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.
The lofty windows of the church are of beauti- ful design and filled with stained glass of many brilliant colors. The upper sash of each window contains two figures of saints wrought in the glass. All the windows and painting> have been pre- sented by members or friends of the parish. The three small windows above the sanctuary contain pictures of the blessed sacrament and adoring angels are represented on either side.
The gallery is in the south end of the audience room and extends entirely across it. It is sup- ported by handsome columns and is reached by a stairway built in the vestibule of the church. The stairway and the gallery are wainscoted in solid walnut.
The church has a seating capacity of twelve hun- dred people, and cost over 860,000. The grand pipe organ, valued at 85,000, and the gold-em- broidered vestments were purchased at a cost of $2,000.
In the fall of 1871 a parochial school was opened in the basement of the church with two lay teachers, and two years later the present teachers, Sisters of the Holy Cross of Notre Dame, Ind., took charge, and also opened an academy and boarding school for young ladies known as the Sacred Heart Academy. In the spring of 1876 Father Kaul purchased a lot opposite the church, on the southeast corner of Ann and Orange Streets, for $4,300, on which was erected the acad- emy, a three-story and basement brick building, fitted out with all modern improvements, such as steam heat. ete.
Besides the main altar there are two other altars in the main audience room. The main altar stands within a large arched recess, at the extreme end of Every facility is afforded in this excellent and highly known institution for the education of young ladies, the course of studies embracing not only the various branches of elementary training, but everthing that goes to make up a finished and accomplished lady. Special attention is given to music and art. and every attention is paid to the comfort and traming of pupils. the church, and it is painted pure white. tipped with gold. It is eighteen feet in height from the top of the "exposition" to the base. The figure of an adoring angel rests on a pedestal at either side of the altar. while upon the top of the altar are placed six candlesticks, each nine feet and three inches in height. On both sides of the main altar, and a little further to the front, are two smaller In the year 1872 a temporary parochial resi- denee was built to the east of the church, and in altars, also placed within handsomely frescoed arches. One is St. Mary's and the other St. Jo- , 1873 five acres of land for cemetery purposes was
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purchased on the extension of East Orange Street. In 1892 a like number of acres adjoining the old cemetery was bought and is now known as St. Anthony's Cemetery. For the benefit of the young men of the parish a fine building known as St. Anthony's Institute, is to be erected of brick, three stories and basement, the first floor to be used as a school the second for library purposes and the thurd for a hall, while the basement will be devoted to a gymnasium. There is also to be erected a handsome parochial residence on the lot west of the church and connected with the same. The various societies of the church are in a very flour- ishing condition, the most prominent of these be- ing St. Anthony's Beneficial Society and Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and of the Guardian Angel. The congregation now numbers about two hun- dred and forty families. Father Kaul is a mem- ber of the Bishops' Council and Chairman of the Diocesan School Board. In general conversation he is very entertaining and agreeable and is pop- ular with all who have the pleasure of his ac- quaintance. In 1881 it was his privilege to take a trip to Europe and at that time he traveled ex- tensively in Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany and Italy. While in Rome he had an interview with Pope Leo XIII, from whom he re- ceived the papal blessing and upon his return to his congregation conferred it upon them. In 1886 he made a second trip to Europe, passing most of the time in Germany.
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I'DGE D. MCMULLEN. of Lancaster, bears a fine reputation as a lawyer of marked ability, and while serving as Judge was noted for his impartiality and fidelity to his well founded convictions of right, truth and justice. One of the native sons of Lancaster County, he comes of a good old family, and was reared by his worthy father in a most exemplary manner. and has never forgotten the teachings he received in
his early years. In the various public capacities in which the Judge has officiated he has acquitted himself greatly to his own credit and has confirmed his fellow-citizens in the wisdom of their choice. For a period of three years he was a member of the City Common Council, being elected from the Second Ward, and for two years of that time was Chairman of the Street Committee. In October, 1889, he was elected one of the School Directors, and a year later was made President of the Board, which post he is still ably filling, and during this time several modern and substantial school build- ings have been erected and many improvements made in the educational system.
Born in Penn Township, October 20, 1844, the Judge is a son of James McMullen, whose birth took place in the same locality. He was a carpen- ter and builder by occupation. and in his later years engaged in carrying on his farm in Penn Township, which comprised one hundred and four acres. After an industrious and successful life, he was called to his final rest in 1886, when about seventy years of age. Politically he was a Demo- crat and held local positions, such as School Di- rector, etc. Ilis wife, Elizabeth (Scheetz) MeMul- len, was born in Warwick Township, of the same county, her father, Jacob, a native of Lancaster County, having been one of the pioneer black- smiths. He followed his trade industriously until he arrived at a good old age, his death occurring when he was nearly eighty. The Scheetz family is of German descent, and old and respected in- habitants of the county. William McMullen, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Belfast, Ireland, where he learned the weaver's trade, and when he came to America, which he did during the last century, he brought huis loom with him and continued to work at weaving in addition to carry- ing on a small farm. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, in the faith of which he died while a resident of Penn Township. Mrs. James McMullen became the mother of four chil- dren, three of whom are living, namely: Edward, who is engaged in carrying on the old homestead; Susannah, Mrs. Yeagley, of Lebanon County, Pa., and David, who is next to the youngest. The daughter, who is now deceased, was formerly a
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resident of Penn Township, and was the wife of Abram Kauffman. The mother departed this life when about seventy-three years of age, and both she and her husband were at the time of their deaths devoted members of the Reformed Church.
The boyhood days of Judge MeMullen passed quite uneventfully on his father's farm, and to him he gave his assistance in its cultivation and in his general carpenter work. llis education was re- ceived in the public schools and later he entered Yeates Institute, where he pursued his studies for a year, teaching school during the summer season. For three years he was then a pupil in Millersville Normal, making his own way through college by means of the money earned from teaching during the summer terms. In 1868 he was graduated from the Normal School, and by this time had ac- quired so much experience as a teacher that he was called upon to be Principal of the Oil City public schools, in which capacity he acted for two years. As he was possessed of great ambition and had given some thought to legal work, he next de- cided to take up the profession, and in 1870 came to this city to pursue his studies with Samuel II. Reynolds, with the result that in December, 1872, he was admitted to the Bar. At once he began prac- tice in his present office at No. 122 East King Street, being an assistant and partner of his former tutor until his death, which occurred in 1889. Since that event the Judge has continued business and settled up the estate of his former partner and succeeded to his large practice, which has been further supplemented by the many clients he has acquired through his own unassisted efforts.
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