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 18
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I EORGE W. MEHAFFEY is honorably bear- ing his part in sustaining the interests of Marietta, where he is engaged in business. lle is a native of Lancaster County, having been born on the old homestead, July 29, 1831. His father. James Mehaffey, was of Scotch-Irish de- scent, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Cochran. The great-grandfather of our subject, James Mehaffey, was born in Scotland,
whence he removed to the North of Ireland, and there made his home until emigrating to the United States about the middle of the last century.
The father of our subject was also a native of Lancaster County, and was born in 1781. lle was a large lumber merchant in Marietta, in which business he was engaged from 1804 until his de- cease in 1850. lle was also interested in a mer- cantile establishment, and was one of the pro- gressive and successful business men of the city. James Mehaffey was one of the founders of that part of Marietta called Waterford, and was the only business man to survive the panic of 1812. Besides carrying on his large wholesale and retail lumber trade, he was the owner of valuable timber land in the western part of the state, and also had in his possession large real-estate interests in the vicinity of Marietta. In fact, he was one of the leading business men of Lancaster County, who was probably better known than any other resident within its bounds. His personal character was one of such integrity and his capacity for financial affairs so decided, that he won a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. In polities he was in early life a Whig. He was identified religiously with the Donegal Presbyterian Church, in which he was Elder for many years.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Mehaffey there were born twelve children, nine of whom grew to mature years, and three are still living. Andrew, who was formerly President of the Cumberland Coal and Iron Company, is now living retired in New York City. This son was also Superintendent of the Philadelphia & Harrisburg Railroad, now known as the Pennsylvania Road. He was a very compe- tent business man, and spent seventeen years in Europe as a representative of a great commercial enterprise. William K. Mehaffey, another son. is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and while Reading Clerk of the House of Representa- tives in Washington was one of the most com- petent officials ever holding that position. He is now living in Boston, practically retired. Our suh- ject was the youngest in order of birth in the fan- ily, and Samuel, the eldest; then followed Andrew; Elizabeth, the wife of James Law; and James. sue- cessor to his father in the lumber business. The
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last-named son was also for a time Director of the Harrisburg. Mt. Joy & Portsmouth Railroad, now owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Margaret was the second daughter, and the other members of the household were Franklin and Cal- vin. Franklin was a Lieutenant in the Regular Army during the Mexican War, and died at New Orleans soon after the close of that conflict. Cal- vin was graduated from Princeton College in 1853. and engaged in business in Philadelphia on the out- break of the Civil War. Ile was appointed Lieu- tenant in the Regular United States Army, Com- pany C. of which he was made Captain. He was later placed on General Porter's staff. and after a time was transferred to the staff of General Patrick, and subsequently became acting Assistant Adjutant- General. Some time thereafter he was changed to the staff of General MeClellan, and at Harrison's Landing was placed in charge of all prisoners. Ile also served as a member of General Sheridan's staff later, and was Provost-Marshal of New Or- leans at the time that general commanded the forces of that eity. Calvin Mehaffey was appointed Recruiting Officer at New York, which position was gained through a competitive examination for officers having the best record of field service. Ile filled the position for about two years, during which time he was ordered to California, and af- ter his return remained with his regiment, the First, until retired in 1870. Ile was very much broken down in health at this time, and died eight months later.
Our subject grew to manhood in his native town, and completed his education in the college of Princeton, with the Class of '54. After leaving college he engaged in the lumber business on the west branch of the Susquehanna River, which oc- cupation he followed for about four years, when he returned to Marietta and purchased a sawmill which he conducted with good results until 1865. That year he disposed of his interest in the mill. Like his father before him, he was one of the prom- inent business men of the county. being at the time stockholder and Director of the Exchange Bank, one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank and thirty years Director in the Columbia National Bank. He was very prominent
in political affairs, and at one time was Auditor of the county. He served as County Commissioner from 1872 to 1875, and has also been Burgess and School Director at Marietta. In religious affairs he is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he is Vestryman, and has been a delegate to every diocesan convention since the formation of the present diocese. Socially, he is a prominent Mason.
The marriage of George W. Mehaffey and Miss Charlotte Russell Rinehart was celebrated June 16, 1859. The lady was the youngest daughter of David Rinehart, a wealthy lumber merchant of Marietta. To them was granted a family of four children, of whom Mary, Mrs. B. Frank Iliestand, is deceased. David is civil engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Emily is the wife of Richard Mott, and resides in Burlington, N. J., and Gertrude, the youngest of the family, is at home with her parents.
APT. GEORGE II. ETTLA, of Marietta, is one of the leaders in the Republican po- litical circles of this county and won his title during his gallant army service. In 1882 he was appointed Postmaster of Marietta and served for two years and eight months, when he resigned on account of Cleveland's accession to the Presi- deney. During the years of 1875 to 1879 inclus- ive, he was a member of the State Legislature anc. for one term was mercantile appraiser of Lancaster County. Ile now represents the National Invest- ment and Loan Company, of Washington, D. C., and is greatly interested in a new and improved process of manufacturing briek. This is effected by a down-draft kiln and many of these are in op- eration in various parts of this and adjoining counties.
The Captain was born August 15, 183t, in IIum-
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melstown, Dauphin County, Pa. He is of German descent and a son of Conrad and Barbara Ettla. At the tender age of two years our subjeet was left an orphan and was reared by his uncle, George, President of the Middletown Bank. He remained with him until seventeen years of age and for three winters attended Emmaus Institute, a school for orphans. For eight years he was in the otlice of the Canal Toll Collector on the Union Canal, where he had been from his tenth year. At seventeen his health was so broken down from confinement to the office that he started out to rough it and lead an out-door life. In 1850 he started for California but was prevented from carrying out his plan by his elder brother. In Philadelphia he was next as- sociated with a wholesale clothing house for a year and a-half, after which he located on the Jersey shore.
In 1853 our subject came to this city and was in the employ of Col. James Duffy, a lumberman, for three years. We next find him acting as book- keeper for S. F. Eagle, who was at that time in the iron and lumber business. In 1860 he embarked in the lumber commission business at Marietta and continued until the breaking ont of the war.
In the early part of 1861 our subject made ap- plication to the Secretary of War, asking to be al- lowed to recruit a regiment of colored troops from Lancaster. Up to 1865 he was Deputy Provost- Marshal and Enrolling Officer and during this time recruited two companies at Marietta. When news came of the assassination of Lincoln the Captain immediately raised a company of one hundred and thirteen men here and was made Captain of Com- pany B. Two Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment. This was m April, 1865, and he was sent from Vir- ginia to Ft. Delaware, being placed in possession of the same and doing guard duty until mustered out at the close of the war. When hostilities had ceased lie became General Claim and Insurance Agent and also was interested in obtaining pensions for old soldiers for some time. His first vote was cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. During Harrison's cam- paign he built a wigwam and has always been act- ively concerned in Presidential elections. For four consecutive terms he was Commander of Post No. 123, G.A.R., and was formerly identilied with Post
No. 84, G. A. R., of Lancaster. He is a Mason, be- longing to Ashara Lodge No. 398 of this place, is a Knight of Pythias and a member of Waterford Council No. 72, O. C. A. M. During the late war he instituted thirty-two councils of the Union League and was made District Deputy in this coun- ty with Dr. Muehlenburg and Congressman Jack Hiestand. For a number of years he remained the chief promoter and founder of various leagues throughout the county.
The new scheme for brick manufacturing in which onr subjeet is much interested has as its chief merit great saving of fuel and labor and the uniformity of excellence in the manufactured article. Com- panies have been established and plants located by the Captain at Fredericksburg, Md., Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Clearfield, Columbia, Saxonburg and various other places in the east.
June 10, 1856, our subjeet married Amanda C., daughter of David Harry, of Marietta. They have had six children, as follows: Mary, wife of John II. Kreitzer, Mayor of Milton, Pa .; D. Harry, who is in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Wilkes Barre; George S., now at Clearfield Point; Anna J., a resident of Doyleston, Bucks County, Pa .; Emily E., a resident of Philadelphia; and Robert R., Manager of the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany of this place.
H
J OHN A. CAPP, M. D., one of the latest phy- sicians and surgeons to locate in Lancaster, was born in Jonestown. Lebanon County, Pa., November 7, 1849. His father, George T., and grandfather, John Capp, were natives of the same place, and the latter was a merchant of Jonestown. dying at the age of sixty-one years. The great-grandfather, Daniel Capp. was a lumber- man and followed the river. The original name of this family was Kopp, but the spelling was changed for convenience. The original Michael
i
EDWIN BOOKMYER.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kopp settled in Lebanon County. Our subject's father continued in the mercantile business unti! 1875, when he sold out, and about that time he was elected Justice of the Peace. He died Octo- ber 26, 1885. For four years he was Burgess of Jonestown Borough. Hle took part in the engage- ment at Gettysburg during the Civil War. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and in religious mat- ters was a member of the Lutheran Church.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Bickel, was a daughter of Samuel Bickel. a merchant. The great-grandfather. John W. Bickel, was in the War of 1812 and was appointed the first Postmaster at Jonestown, holding the oflice for sixty years. After his death, which oc- curred at that place in 1858. his son Samuel E. succeed him. serving until 1861. He died in 1872, aged sixty-three years. Our subject's mother still resides at the old homestead.
John A. is one of three sons. Thomas II., who served three terms in the Pennsylvania Legisla- ture, is now a practicing attorney at Lebanon, be- ing senior member of the firm of Capp & Shock ; George S. is a traveling salesman of Philadelphia. Our subject was educated in Tremont Seminary in Norristown, after which he assisted his father in the store until 1872. lle was then appointed general collector for the South Mountain Railroad, and after two years of service in that capacity com- menced to study medicine, reading under Dr. E. R. Umberger. In 1876 he entered the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in 1878 with the degree of M. D. Ile at once began the prac- tice of his profession at Jonestown, where he re- mained until April. 1894, and then located in Lancaster.
The first marriage of Dr. Capp occurring in 1872 united him with Miss M. Alice Walter, who was born in the city of Lebanon, Pa., her father having been a miller and grain merchant in Jones- town. She died June 10, 1891, the mother of five children, Sadie E., Edna 1., Carrie E., Walter S. and George T. The last-named child died in 1889, aged one year. For his second wife the Doctor married Miss Amy L. Echternach, the date of their marriage being April 10, 1894. She is a native of
Lancaster County and the daughter of John F. Echternach, a hotel man at Orvilla.
Of the public life of Dr. Capp it may be said that while a resident of Jonestown he served as a member of the School Board for three years, dur- ing that time holding the position of President. Ile was also a member of the Borough Council three years. resigning upon his removal from that place. Politically he is a Republican, and in relig- ions matters is identified with the Lutheran Church. He is an acceptable member of the Leb- anon County Medical Society, as well as the med- ical societies in Lancaster city and county.
DWIN BOOKMYER, Pension Attorney and Notary Public, whose office is at No. 9 South Duke Street, Lancaster, is a veteran of the late war, and has an army record of which he and his children may well be proud. For the boys in blue he has always had a warm affection, and takes a real and personal interest in present- ing their claims for recognition to the Govern- ment. In the various social and other circles of this city he numbers a great many sincere friends, and is highly respected by all who have had the good fortune to make his acquaintance in whatever walk of life.
Our subject was born on the 12th of June, 1845, being a son of Michael and Margaret (Beck- ley) Bookmyer. The former was born in Freder- ick City, M. D., and became a resident of Man- heim, Lancaster County, where he was Burgess in 1846. llis father, JJacob, who was a farmer in Maryland, was of English descent, and it is sup- posed was a participant in the War of 1812. Mi- chael Bookmyer, or B'myer, as the name was some- times spelled, was at one time in a military com- pany belonging to the Lancaster State Militia, and was a shoemaker by trade, being noted for the fine work which he put forth. Though he was only thirty-two years old at the time of his death, in 1847, he had acquired a substantial fortune, and
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was justly regarded as a man of good financial ability and personal integrity. Being musically inclined. he was particularly skillful on the violin. and was an instructor of the art. In the work of the Lutheran denomination he took an active and interested part. llis wife was born in Prescott Station, where her father and grandfather were also born and reared. The latter. Frederick Beck- ley, of English descent, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and later became an extensive farmer in Lebanon County, Pa. Ilis wife, a Miss Stroch, was of German descent. After his father's early death the mother of our subject became the wife of George Deffenderfer, now deceased, and for- merly well known in this city. His widow makes her home in Reading. Pa., and though eighty-four years old is still hale and hearty, and is one of the active workers of the Lutheran Church of that place. By her first marriage she had three sons and two daughters, but only two of the family are now living.
From the age of seven years Edwin Bookmyer was reared in Lancaster, and when only two years older worked in the cotton factories. Ilis school- ng was therefore very meagre, but he made the best of such advantages as he had. and by private study and determination in time became a well nformed man. For one summer he worked on a arm, and later was apprenticed to D. P. Locher as eurrier, remaining in that busmess until the war broke out. Though only seventeen years of age. de volunteered his services in defense of the Stars and Stripes, but was strongly opposed in this reso- ution by his mother, who twice had his name taken off the rolls. Finally she was persuaded to sign a certificate, and the youth was accepted as
Fifer in Company K. One Hundred and Twenty- second Pennsylvania Infantry, the date of his en- istment being August 11. 1862. Ile was mustered into the service at Lancaster, and was in camp 'or nine months. Later he took part in the see- ond battle of Bull Run and in the engagements tt Manassas Gap, Fredericksburg and Chancellors- rille.
Being mustered out at Harrisburg, May 15. 863, Mr. Bookmyer then turned his attention to various lines of work until the following spring,
when he re-enlisted, April 1, 1861, being placed in Company 1. Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as- signed to the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regi- ment of Infantry, and was mustered in at Phila- delphia. With his company, he was in the battles of Bolivar Heights, Martinsburg. Winchester, Ber- ryville, near Keyes Ford, and was injured at Halltown, November 20, 1864, being thrown from his horse. When at a point between Winchester and Charlestown he was captured by a small band of Confederate bushwhackers, but made his escape the same night, November 8. 1864, and ran the distance of ten miles which intervened between their camp and that of his regiment. Decem- ber & he was appointed Bugler, and on the 18th of the following April was detailed as Chief Bugler. to the Second Battalion, having the rank of Cor- poral. After his long and valiant service he was mustered out, July 20, 1865. near Winchester, and was discharged in Philadelphia.
Returning to Lancaster, Mr. Bookmyer for sev- eral months was in very poor health as the result of his army experiences, and he was unable to en- gage in active pursuits. Until September, 1865, he resided in the Quaker City, and thence going to Montgomery County, remained on a farm until April 1 of the following year, when he came back to Lancaster. He was variously employed until 1867. when he began learning the business of coach trimming, and afterward that of house painting. For three years succeeding he was em- ployed at painting and decorating work, and then started to secure contracts in the same line of trade. This occupation he followed with fair sue- cess until 1886. lle then took up the pension business, and has since devoted his time exclu- sively to the same. In the presentation of sol- diers' claims he has been invariably successful, as is shown by the number of cases he has had recog- nized by the Government authorities. In 1890 he was made Notary Public, a position his father had filled before him, and in 1893 his daughter was awarded the same honor.
In 1870 Mr. Bookmyer and Mary A. Iloff were united in marriage in this city. The lady was born here, being a daughter of Charles Frederick lloff, a native of Stuttgart, Germany, who subse-
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quently emigrated to this city. Of this union five children have been born, as follows: Ella, who is in her father's office, and is now a Notary Public; Edwin 11., a clerk in the same office: Charles F., who is an electrician; Herbert F., whose death oc- curred in Lancaster; and Paul N. The family at- tend the First Reformed Church, in which our subject has been an Elder and Trustee. and one of the leading members for many years. Partieu- larly interested in the Sunday-school department, he has been a teacher for some twenty years.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bookmyer is an ardent Republican. He is a Grand Army man, having formerly been Senior Vice Commander of George H. Thomas Post No. 84, and having been their delegate and representative to the general encampment. As an Odd Fellow he belongs to Monterey Lodge No. 212, of which he is ex-Junior Warden and is Past Chief Patriarch of Washing- ton Encampment. Ile is also identified with Coun- sellor Branch No. 156, American Mechanics. and at one time was a member of the Board of Man- agers of the Young Men's Christian Association of this place.
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A MMON M. LEASE. proprietor of the White Elephant Photograph Gallery, was born in Adams County, Pa. Ilis father, A. M. Lease, also a native of that county. was a mason and bricklayer by trade, and also engaged as a contractor. Late in life he located in York Coun- ty and followed the same business. He died near York in 1892. at the age of about seventy years. Grandfather David Lease came from Germany when a mere boy, locating in Adams County, where he died at the age of ninety-two, his good wife surviving him one year. The original fam- ily name was spelled Leas, but our subject changed it to Lease.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Susan Chronister, was born near Hampton. and was a member of an old Pennsylvania-German fam- ily. She died at the age of forty-five years, being
the mother of five sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to years of maturity, and the sons still survive. Ammon M .. the second youngest, was born April 14, 1831. He was reared about ten miles from Gettysburg, and distinetly recol- lects the morning of the great battle fought at that place. After the close of that conflict he started out in life for himself, with no resources. save his own energy. At first he clerked in York- shire. Adams County. in a general merchandise store, and was Assistant Postmaster when twenty years of age.
While living on a farm, Mr. Lease had the mis- fortune to fall from a horse, receiving an injury in his right leg and hip that for nearly three years incapacitated him for active work. A clerkship of four years followed, and he then went to Bal- timore, where he learned the photographic busi- ness in Richard Walzell's photographic emporium. After one year at that place, he obtained a posi- tion in York, Pa., as a re-toucher for B. C. Pence, with whom he remained seven years. He then spent a short time in travel. coming to Lancaster in August. 1884, to enter the Ilubley gallery, where he was employed as a re-toucher and assistant op- erator for three years. From that time until 1889 he was employed in the Rote gallery on North Queen Street.
During the month of May. 1889, Mr. Lease opened his own gallery, known as the White Ele- phant. The building is 16x107 feet in dimensions. three stories high, with a marble front. The gal- lery occupies the two upper floors. His rooms are elegantly furnished, and are provided with all the modern appliances for the production of first class art work. Ilis trade is the largest of any artist in Lancaster. He does work from the smallest card photograph to the largest life size colored and oil painting work.
Mr. Lease was united in marriage, at York, with Miss S. Ruth, a native of Berks County, born near Reading. Their family consists of four children: Adah, Art, Norman and Milton (twins). Our sub- ject moves in the best circles of Lancaster society, is a member of the Golden Eagle, Mystic Chain, W. R. N. Chain, the Order of Elks, and other civic societies, in which he has held important of-
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fees. In business he is a good financier, and is a Director of several business corporations. He is active in the building and loan association, and now occupies the position of Secretary and Treas- urer of the local branch of the National Life Build- ing and Loan Association at Lancaster. Politically he is a true blue Republican, and in his rehgious faith is connected with the Reformed Church.
EORGE P. KING, M. D., one of the suc- cessful, competent, thorough and skillful practitioners of the medical fraternity in Lancaster, is justly entitled to a biographical no- tice in this connection. Ile was born in the city of Lancaster, July 15, 1858, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Frey) King, also natives of Lancaster. Our subject's father and grandfather were coopers by trade, the former establishing himself in bual- ness on East King Street, but later in life he en- gaged in the grocery business on South Queen Street. His death occurred in 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a member of St. Paul's Reformed Church and in politics was a Re- publican.
Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Frey, was a na- tive of Lancaster. Politically he was a Democrat and for a number of years served as Sheriff of his county. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. The mother resides with our subject and is now seventy-two years of age. She is a consist- ent member of St. Paul's Reformed Church.
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