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 15
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H ENRY NEFF KEHLER, well and favora- bly known among the residents of Col- umbia, has spent his entire life in Lan- caster County, and was born upon the farm where he now resides in West Hempfield Township, the date of his birth being the 17th of April, 1821. The family originated in Switzerland but has been represented in the United States for sev- eral generations. Our subject's paternal grand- father, Joshua Keller, was born in the village of Strasburg, Lancaster County, and there remained until his death in the prime of manhood. llis trade was that of a carpenter. In his family there were three children: Philip, a carpenter who lived in Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. Myers, who resided in Illinois; and Joshua, father of our subject.
The last named was born in Strasburg, Pa., Octo- ber 15, 1782, and in early life engaged in distill- ing, but later became proprietor of a hotel. In 1814 he purchased one hundred and thirty-live acres on the Columbia and Lancaster Pike, one
and one-half miles from Columbia. Settling upon that place he continued to make it his home until his death. at the age of sixty-nine years. November 22, 1850. Though usually voting the Democratic ticket he was inclined to be liberal in his suffrage, giving his support to the man rather than the party. In religious belief he was a member of the Mennonite Church.
The marriage of Joshua Kebler and Anna Neff was blessed by six children, five daughters and one son. Maria, the eldest, married Samuel Cald- well, a lumberman of Williamsport, Lycoming County. Both are deceased. Ann and Elizabeth never married. Matilda first married Dr. Clark- son, and after his death became the wife of James Marshall, one of the most extensive iron mer- chants of Pittsburg and the founder of the Farm- ers'. Deposit Bank, now the Farmers' National Bank. of which he was President to the time of his death; he was a brother of Tom Marshall, who was one of the greatest commercial lawyers of the state. Sarah, the youngest daughter, mar- ried B. Frank Spangler, a business man of Colum- bia, Pa. The mother of this family was born March 15, 1789, and died January 19, 1874, at the age of eighty-five years.
In the subseription schools of West Hempfield Township our subject received a practical educa- tion that fitted him for a successful business career. llis school days ended when he was sixteen, but he has always been a thoughtful student of the great issues of the age, and few men are better posted upon current events than is he. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and here he still resides. Ile also owns a farm occu- pied by a tenant. In his possession is a valued heirloom. lle has the original Penn deeds for two hundred and seventy acres taken up by William Penn. Ile has been interested in the private bank- ing business at Columbia, and for thirty years has been Directer in the Columbia National Bank. Politically he is a Republican. In religious belief a Presbyterian, he is serving as Trustee of the church at Columbia.
February 23, 1871, Mr. Kebler married Kate Stewart, daughter of John Hunter Knox, who was born March 5, 1815, and died February 28, 1862.
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He was a well educated man, a graduate of Dick- inson College and a civil engineer by occupation. For many years he resided in Lycoming County, Pa. During the late war he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, of which he was Captain until his death. His three sons, John Moran, Robert S. and James Ruggles., served in the Union army during the Rebellion.
The grandfather of Mrs. Keller, John Knox, emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1790, and with his parents located in Maryland near the city of Emmitsburg. He became a man of promi- nence in his community, and conducted success- fully many large enterprises, being principally en- gaged in farming and milling. During the most of his life he resided on JJersey Shore, Pa. Not- withstanding the fact that he was so near the headquarters of the Confederacy, he remained loyal to the Union and was a stanch Abolitionist and a firm Republican as long as he lived. Hle was connected with the under-ground railroad scheme, and any plan that had for its object the freedom of the slaves received his warm support. He married Catherine Stewart, of Jersey Shore, and they reared three sons, Robert, Charles and John H., and one daughter, Mrs. Jane Russell, the latter being the only survivor of the family.
For many years Grandfather Knox followed the trade of a millwright at West Branch, and about the close of the last century he built the first grist mill on Pine Creek, where he was extensively en- gaged in lumbering and milling. During almost his entire life he resided with his wife a short dis- tance from the mouth of Lany's Creek, where his death occurred October 18, 1854, at the age of eighty-four years. lle was a man of robust phy- sique and powerful frame. Positive opinions upon all subjects characterized him. He was a man of great piety and for many years took an active part in the Methodist Church, of which he was a de- voted member.
The great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Kehler was Charles Stewart, Sr., who was born in 1743 near the town of Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ire- land, and when nineteen years of age he came from that country to his uncle's, Samuel IIunton, where he married the daughter, Elizabeth. Ile engaged
in milling in Dauphin County near Harrisburg. From there he removed to Cumberland County, where he purchased property in the "New Pur- chase" and afterward bought seven hundred and fourteen aeres in the Nippeusa bottom in Lycom- ing County. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Keh- ler is Henry Neff, who was born May 3, 1874. 1Ie is at present (1894) a sophomore in Princeton Col- lege.
OHN F. STAUFFER. This prominent resi- dent of Lancaster occupies the responsible position of Street Commissioner, to which of- fice he was elected April 1, 1894. Prior to that time, however, he was a successful railroad contractor and built many of the roads running through the county.
Our subject was born in Penn Township, this county, August 6, 1845, and is the son of Benjamin M. Stauffer, a native of the same place. His grand- father, who bore the name of John, was born in Donegal Township, this county, and was a miller by trade. Ile operated many of the mills in this and adjoining counties. The great-grandfather of our subject, Johannus Stauffer, came from Switzer- land in 1790. and soon afterward built the large stone mill at White Oak, Penn Township, which he operated until his decease, when the property fell to John Stauffer.
The father of our subject assumed control of the mill when a young man of twenty-one years, and during the time from 1856 to 1859 was elected Register of Lancaster County on the Republican ticket. After disposing of the property, he pur- chased a farm near Mt. Joy, which he cultivated for four years, and in 1863 bought the old Bossler Mill, near Manheim, on Chickies Creek, which he conducted for some time, and in 1868 sold out and returned to Mt. Joy. He is still living, and has attained the advanced age of seventy-five years.
The mother of our subject, who prior to her marriage was Miss Sophia, daughter of John For-
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ney, was born in Earl Township, this county. She was cousin to John W. Forney, the proprietor of the Philadelphia Press. Grandfather Forney was keeper of the inn known as Forney's Tavern, on the Reading road, where he lived for many years. Mrs. Stauffer departed this life in 1884, leaving two children. The brother of our subject, Benjamin, is a member of the Board of Trade in Chicago.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his na- tive township and was educated at the Jolin Beck School at Lititz. When old enough he was appren- tieed to learn the trade of a miller, working under Gabriel Bear. Later he and his brother operated the Bossler Mill, for two years and thens old out, our subject returning to private life, and for sev- eral years was not engaged in any business.
In 1872 Mr. Stauffer came to Lancaster, and taking up railroad work. has contracted for many roads, and also engaged extensively in sewer build- ing. llis first work was for the Pennsylvania Rail- road, building a double track from Middletown to Steelton, and later received the contract to lay the double track for the Philadelphia, Wilming- ton & Baltimore Railroad Company from Swatli- more to Media. His next enterprise was build- ing a road for the Caledonia Mining Company between Mt. Alto Junction and the Mountain's point, ten miles, filling in some places forty-three feet in depth, which contract he completed in eleven months. Mr. Stauffer was the builder of five miles of road for the Baltimore & Eastern Shore Railroad Company, lying between Easton and St. Michael's, Md.
In 1893 our subject built the Marietta Water Works. Ile constructed a reservoir in York Coun- ty, and laid a twelve-inch main across the Susque- hanna River from York to Lancaster County. Mr. Stauffer was married in this city, in the Trinity Lutheran Church, November 25, 1868, to Miss Clara S., youngest daughter of John Fondersmith, a prominent citizen of Lancaster. By her union with our subject there have been born two chil- dren, Charles F., a contractor of Philadelphia; and B. Grant, of this city.
April 1, 1894, our subjeet was elected Street Commissioner, and assumed the duties of the po- sition soon thereafter. Mr. Stauffer built the sec-
ond street railway in the city, from Duke Street to the terminus, a distance of one and one-third miles, in twenty days. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum of high standing, and in religious affairs belongs to the Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was Warden for three years. In politics he is a stalwart Republican.
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M AJ. JOSEPH WARREN YOCUM is the editor of the Columbia Daily and Weekly Spy, published in Columbia. Lancaster County. This journal was established in 1816 and is one of the oldest in the county. Mr. Yocum became its owner in 1869, it then being a daily and weekly paper known as the Columbia Spy. When our subject became the purchaser the daily edition was abandoned for a time, but it was re- sumed in 1893 and has since been regularly issued. 'The Columbia Daily Spy has exercised great influ- ence over the people of this locality during much of county's history, and of late years particularly has merited the success it has attained, both in popu- larity and financially. Mr. Yocum is a well edu- cated and widely informed gentleman, who is amply fitted by nature and experience to carry on a paper of this kind, and as he is greatly devoted to the prosperity and development of Columbia and the surrounding country, he is highly es- teemed as one of the promoters of local prosper- ity. lle has been prominent in many of the lead- ing industries of the place, and among others we mention the following: The Columbia Iron Com- pany, of which he is Secretary, Treasurer, and a member of the Board of Directors; the Grey Iron Company, of which he is President; and the Colum- bia Fire Company, of which he is Treasurer and which is the oldest company in the place. As a soldier during the Civil War Major Yocum is also entitled to honor and credit, as he saw hard service
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and sustained wounds while defending the cause of liberty.
The father of our subject was William Yocum, who was of Swedish ancestry. The original foun- der of the family in America settled in this state during the last century, and the paternal grand- father was born at Swedeland, Montgomery Coun- ty. They were farmers, politically were Whigs, and in religion were identified with the Reformed Church. William Yocum was one of seven chil- dren, six sons and a daughter. lle received a dis- trict school education in Montgomery County. Ile was reared to agricultural pursuits and resided for some years at the Trappe, in the same county, this being an old Lutheran and Reformed settlement. William Yocum married Sarah Rimby and they had two children: Annie Matia, who married Jesse H. Peterman, and Joseph W., our subject. The father died December 5, 1892; his wife is still living.
The birth of our subject occurred at the Trappe in Montgomery County, June 27, 1843. IIe re- ceived his elementary education in the public schools of that locality and later pursued his studies at Washington Hall Boarding School. In 1868 he was graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with honors, and then read law with Hon. J. B. Livingston, presiding Judge of Lancaster County. In 1868 he was admitted to the Bar and remained in the office of his tutor for about one year. In 1869 he became the owner of the paper which he has since conducted, as previously stated, and to its publication he has since devoted his en- ergies. lle is an ardent Republican, having cast. his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1865, under a bomb proof tent in front of Peters- burg, Va., serving as Judge of the election. lle has held a number of local offices and has served as a delegate to Republican state conventions a number of times.
In June, 1862, J. W. Yocum enlisted in Com- pany C, One Ilundred and Sixteenth Pennsylva- nia Regiment, and served in General Meagher's Irish Brigade, Hancock's Division of the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He rose from the ranks, being promoted to the position of First Sergeant, afterwards to Second Lieutenant, then
First Lieutenant and finally was made Captain of Company I, of the same regiment and brevetted Major by President Lincoln. He took part in all of the engagements of the Army of the Potomac from Antietam to the battle of Petersburg. At the battle of the Wilderness he received a slight wound and near Petersburg was struck in the left arm by a minie ball, which necessitated his retirement from the lield. At the end of three years' service he was discharged, May 26, 1865, at the Annapolis Hospital, his dismission being on account of the effects of wounds received. During the Peters- burg campaign he was Aide-de-camp on the staff of General Ramsey, commanding the brigade.
On the 1st of January, 1872, occurred the mar- riage of our subject to Miss Annie E. Herr. They have had two children: Katie, who died in in- fancy, and lloward Il., who is attending Prince- ton College. Fraternally Mr. Yocum belongs to Columbia Lodge No. 286, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master, and is Treasurer and Past High Priest of Columbia Chapter No. 224, R. A. M. Moreover he is a member of General Welsh Post. No. 118, G. A. R., which he has served as Com- mander-Adjutant and Quartermaster. As an Odd Fellow he is identified with Susquehanna Lodge No. 80, and is connected with Columbia Assembly No. 20, Artisans Mutual Protection. For eighteen years Mr. Yocum has been a member of the Board of Trustees and has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Presbyterian Church of this place.
YRON J. REEMSNYDER, M. D., skillful physician and surgeon of llinkletown, was born near Akron. this state, July 23, 1853, and is the son of Henry and Mary Jane (Gray) Reemsnyder. The family in America was founded by Samuel Reemsnyder, the grandfather of our subject, who came from Germany in an early day and located first in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of cabinet-maker for a time. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject was married in
ounty, and became the father of a large fam- He became prominent and wealthy, and died 54, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church. lities he was a strong Demoerat. Dr. Henry snyder, father of our subjeet, was born in ille, this county, and when beginning his cal studies, entered the office of Dr. Weidler, chanicsburg, after which he entered the Penn- nia Medical College. He established for prae- n the city of Lancaster, where he also owned g store. After a residence there of two years ent to Bareville, where he spent another two , and on the expiration of that time moved kron, this state, where his death occurred in aged fifty-two years. He was successful as sieian, and was in the enjoyment of a lucra- practice. He belonged to the Lancaster Coun- edical Society, and socially was a member of Iasonic order of Reading. He was active in ics, voting with the Democratic party, and the recipient of many positions of honor and . The Reformed Church found in him one of ost valued members and cheerful givers.
1862, during the late war, Dr. Reemsnyder ized Company F, Ninth Pennsylvania Cav- of which he was commissioned Lieutenant, lı position he shortly afterward resigned in ; to accept the Captainey of another company. as in active service for eighteen months, and honorably discharged on account of physical ility.
e mother of our subject was the daughter of y Gray, a farmer of Akron Township, and by union with Dr. Reemsnyder she became the er of four sons and two daughters, of whom subject was the eldest. His brothers and sis- were, Charles, a manufacturer of eigars in delphia; Jennie, the wife of Isaae C. Netzley, ock Haven, this state; Henry G., M. D., en- d in practice in Ephrata, this state; Edward esiding in Akron, this county, and Annie, died young. The wife and mother is now in ixtieth year of her age, and is a devoted mem- of the Reformed Church.
le original of this sketeh was given a good ation in the common schools, and when seven- years of age began the study of medicine
under the instruction of his honored father. In 1873 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine the following year. He re- mained practicing with his father for one year thereafter, and in 1875, we find him located in Hinkletown, where he has resided ever since. He soon won an enviable reputation as a practitioner of the healing art, and now commands a large and luerative praetice. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and like his father before him, votes with the Democratic party.
The lady to whom Dr. Reemsnyder was married in 1877 was Miss Alice A., daughter of R. N. Winter, of this place. To them was born a daugh- ter, Anna. Mrs. Reemsnyder died May 30, 1882, and two years later the Doctor chose as his second companion Miss Mary M., sister of his former wife, by whom he has become the father of two children, Mary and Charles.
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USTUS BARD is extensively engaged in rais- ing leaf tobacco on a tract of land in Upper Leacock Township. In 1883 he purehased a farm near the old homestead and devoted his time and attention to raising garden stuffs. In 1893, however, he added tobacco raising, and now gives the cultivation of that plant almost his en- tire time.
Onr subject is the son of Samuel and Leah (Stuck) Bard, and was born in the old Bard home- stead, five miles east of Laneaster, July 15, 1856. He was reared on the farm, and received his pri- mary education in the common schools, after which he attended the Millersville State Normal. When ready to establish in life on his own account, as before stated, he purchased land near his father's estate, which he farmed on a small scale until branehing out in his present enterprise.
In May, 1889, Mr. Bard was appointed Justice of the Peace on the Republican ticket, and has
R. K. BUEHRLE, PH. D. Superintendent of Schools,
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given much of his time to aid in the furtherance of the principles of that party. February 1, 1883, the original of this sketch was married to Miss F. Ahee, daughter of Joel Miller, who is engaged as a general merehant at Witmer, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bard there have been born two chil- dren: Charles Miller, born August 11, 1883, and Mary Hess, whose birth occurred May 22, 1890.
Joel Miller, the father of Mrs. Bard, was born in Witmer, February 25, 1825, and after obtaining a fair education in the schools of the neighborhood, learned the trade of a shoemaker. Ile followed this for a time, and then engaged in business in his native place as a general merchant. Ile car- ried a large stock of goods and in his community is very popular. Ile is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, to which body he gives liberal support, and is known as a strong exponent of its teachings.
In 1866 Joel Miller married Miss Mary Iless, by ' whom he became the father of six children: Alice, Mrs. Bard; Lizzie, who is the wife of Harry Esh- man; William, who married Miss Esther Sides; Anna, who married Harry Bush; Edward G. and Howard. In politics Mr. Miller is a stanch Re- publican and stands loyally by his party.
R OBERT KOCH BUEHRLE, A. M., PH. D., recognized as a very able educator, is Superintendent of the Lancaster public schools, and during the time that has elapsed since he became connected with them, they have made great advances in every direction. The city is certainly very fortunate in having so capable and practical a man in charge of its system of instruc- tion, for he has wide experience and is peculiarly adapted for the position.
Superintendent Buehrle was born in Ueberlingen, Baden, Germany, September 24, 1810. His father, whose Christian name was Joseph, was for six years in the German army; afterward for six years in the
Government service as guardsman on the frontier, and promoted thence for meritorious services, he was for three years Internal Revenue Collector and Assessor in his native place, Kappel, am-Rhine. In 1844 he came to America, and two years later was followed by his family. By trade a linen weaver. but not finding the business congenial, he became a boatman on the Lehigh Canal about 1848, running from Mauch Chunk and points above to Philadelphia and New York. He owned his boat, of which he was master, being assisted hy his two sons, the subject of this sketch and his elder brother. For eleven years he followed this occupation; his home having previously been at Manch Chunk and South Easton, was now trans- ferred to Tinicum Township, Bucks County. On his farm in the latter place he settled about 1848, and on leaving boating in 1858, retired, engaging in agriculture to some extent until his death in 1877. when in his seventy-fourth year. A man of universally admitted probity of character, he was well read and well informed, and an intense hater of despotism. He strove with those who unsnc- cessfully attempted to secure the freedom and unity of Germany in the Revolution of 1848, which object was, however, largely achieved in 1870. In religion he was a Free Thinker, though a great admirer of Martin Luther. After coming to America, he voted with the Democrats until that party became distinctively pro-slavery, when, in 1860 he became and continued to be a consist- ent Republican and an anti-slavery man. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Joanna Koch, was born in Baden, Germany. She became the mother of five children, and passed from this life in 1886 near the old home, when in her eightieth year.
Superintendent Buehrle was reared in Bucks County, and at the age of eight years started on the tow path of the canal. Later he became the right- hand man of his father, with whom he remained boating on the canal until 1858. During this time his schooling was limited to a winter term of about two months each year. In the fall of 1858, he literally stepped from the canal-boat to the teach- er's platform, teaching in the winter for the next two years, and in the summer pursuing his studies with great zeal while attending the Bucks County
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Normal and Classical School at Quakertown, pre- paring for college. The following two years he was engaged in teaching near Allentown. Lehigh County, after which for a short time he took charge of Weaversville Academy. In the fall of 1863 he became clerk in the motive-power depart- ment of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburg. When two years had expired he returned to his former occupation, having been elected Principal of the Allentown High School, of which he re- mained in charge until 1868, when he was pro- moted to be the first City Superintendent of Al- lentown. Under his supervision the schools be- came widely known for their complete and effec- tive organization, and he was successively re- elected until 1878, when he resigned. He was fre- quently consulted by the Board of Directors on important matters relating to the school system, and his influence in the educational affairs of the place was felt long after his departure. In 1878 he became Superintendent of the Reading Schools, continuing as such for two years, when he accepted a call from Lancaster as the first City Superin- tendent of Schools.
Since becoming connected with the Lancaster schools, Doctor Buehrle has been a power for progress in the educational affairs of the place. In 1878 Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and in 1886 it also bestowed upon him that of Doctor of Philosophy. Under his jurisdiction are ninety-six teachers, who preside over the different depart- ments of fifteen school buildings. In the Pennsyl- vania State Teachers' Association Superintendent Buehrle has taken an active and influential part, and he has also been for many years a member of the National Educational Association. Ile has been especially prominent in the formation of the City and Borough Superintendents' Association of Pennsylvania, which was organized at Lancas- ter in January, 1888. He was its first President and was again elected to that position in 1893. A close student and an excellent writer, he has fre- quently contributed to leading journals, and is the author of "Grammatical Praxis," published in 1877, and "Practical Exercises in Arithmetic," published in 1886. As a linguist he is a man of
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