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 19
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Mr. and Mrs. Jacob King were the parents of five children, two of whom are living, our sub- ject and lacob F., the latter engaged in the manu- facture of tobacco on North Queen Street. Our subject was reared in Lancaster and received his education in the public and high schools and in a private school in Harrisburg. When eighteen years of age, under the guidance of Dr. Henry Carpenter of Lancaster, he began the study of
medicine, which science from his early boyhood days he had desired to master. In 1876 he entered .Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated three years la- ter with the degree of M. D. Ile then located in the practice of his chosen profession at Lancaster, and has occupied the same office ever since. lle was born next door to where he is practicing, that place being his father's property at the time of his birth. Since 1889, he has been the attend- ing physician at St. Joseph's Hospital, where he has shown great ability, both as a physician and surgeon.
Politically the Doctor is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and takes great interest in city, county, state and national polities. Socially he is a member of Lamberlon Lodge No. 476, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to the City and County Med- ical Association. He is a strong advocate of the adoption of the process of eremation. He stands well as a citizen, possessing advanced views, and is among the best read modern-day physicians and surgeons of the Keystone State. In the role of a physician he has made a success both financially and as a faithful practitioner. His familiar form and face have cheered the sick room of many a household in Lancaster County, and it has ever been his aim to exercise all the skill he possesses for rich and poor alike.
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ETER B. ESBENSHADE is perhaps one of the largest land owners in Manheim Town- ship. lle is a self-made man and has been very successful financially, being the possessor of four farms comprising in all over four hundred broad acres of as fine farming land as may be found in the county.
Our subject is the son of JJacob and Maria ( Bink- ley) Esbenshade, and was born March 13, 1851, in the above township at the old homestead, located near Binkley's Bridge. The family is of German origin, the grandfather, Peter Esbenshade having
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emigrated from the Fatherland in an early day and made settlement in Paradise Township, this coun- ty, where he was engaged in farm pursuits, own- ing sixty or seventy acres. Together with culti- vating his land he preached in the Mennonite Church, and was much beloved by those who knew him. In his political relations he was a stanch Whig. Ile married Mrs. Elizabeth (lowry) Le- fever, and to them were born four sons, namely : Henry, Jacob, David and Joseph. The grandfa- ther died at the age of eighty-one years.
Jacob Esbenshade, the father of our subject, was born January 18, 1805, in Paradise Township, this county. Like the youth of that early day he at- tended the district school and assisted his father in carrying on the farm work. In 1829 he pur- chased a tract of land near Binkley's Bridge which he farmed for eleven years and then became the proprietor of one hundred and twenty acres. Ile was very successful in all his ventures and at his decease owned six good farms in Lancaster Coun- ty, aggregating about six hundred acres. A man of more than ordinary intelligence, ability and force of character, he assumed his rightful position as a leader, and his fellow-townsmen ever looked up to him for counsel and assistance. He bore a prin- cipal part in the settlement of estates and was hon- ored by being called to responsible public posi- tions, which he filled with ability and a conseien- tious regard to the highest interests of the com- munity.
In 1832 Jacob Esbenshade married Miss Maria, daughter of Christian Binkley, and to them were granted the following named children, Elizabeth, Christian, Barbara, Jacob B., Maria, Henry B .. Amanda, Isaac, Peter B. and Annie. The husband and father departed this life November 10, 1881. and in his death the county lost one of its best and most honored citizens. Ilis good wife preceded him to the better land, having passed away March 17, 1879. She was at that time sixty-eight years of age and a devoted member of the Mennonite Church.
The original of this sketch received a good edu- cation in the common schools, and choosing the occupation of a farmer, was very successful in his undertaking, and as before stated owns over four
hundred acres in Manheim and Strasburg Town- ships. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of his county, materially and otherwise, and has borne a prominent part in promoting its rise and progress to its present high standing among its sister coun- ties as a wealthy and well developed country and a rich agricultural portion of Pennsylvania.
December 13, 1877, Peter B. Esbenshade and Miss Susan, daughter of Henry Leaman, were united in marriage and to them have been born three children: Franklin L., Elmer L. and Cora L.
H OWARD C. MCALLISTER is one of the able and efficient business men of Cone- stoga Township, Lanester County, and for some years has been engaged in the manufac- ture of cigars. Though comparatively a young man, he has made an enviable reputation in this loeality for the good common sense and industrious spirit he manifests in his affairs, and by those who have known him from boyhood he is held in high esteem.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Amos McAllister, who was one of the early settlers and farmers of Lancaster County. He married Fannie Hess and seven children graced their union. Jacob, the eldest in order of birth. was born in Pe- quea Township, and from boyhood was a farmer, dealing extensively in stock. At one time he was a member of the State Militia and was a very ae- tive politician in the ranks of the Republican party. Educational affairs found in him a very interest- ed supporter, and for some few terms he was School Director in this township. He married Miss Bar- bara Greider, and they became the parents of two children, Howard C., whose name heads this sketch, and Cora.
In Pequea Township, on the 22d of October, 1867, occurred the birth of Howard C. McAllister. Ilis parents gave him good educational advantages, and he was a pupil of the common schools of the district for about ten years. Subsequently he sup-
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plemented his knowledge by two terms spent at the Millersville Normal School, which he left on attaining his majority. After passing the required exammations he obtained a certificate and for the next four years engaged in teaching school, in which line of work he met with gratifying success. Afterwards he engaged in milling, following that vocation for about a year, but since that time has been occupied as a cigar manufacturer, to which trade he is giving all of his time and attention.
Religiously Mr. MeAllister is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now acting in an official capacity as a Steward. In his political affiliations he is a stanch and tried Republican, and has strong opinions and convictions that his party is adopting the best methods in all matters of great public moment, especially in the protection of Amer- ican industries and working men.
May 22. 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McAllister and Miss Edith Urban, and one child, a little daughter whom they call Ruth, has come to bless their home.
IIRISTOPHER LILLER is the oldest and leading tonsorial artist in Lancaster, where he has been in business since 1854, and since 1861 has been located at No. 225-227 North Queen Street. lle is a man of experience in his trade, and in addition to that is a graduate in sur- gery. A well informed and courteous gentleman, he numbers a host of warm friends in this city. where his face has been so long a familiar one.
A native of Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. Mr. Liller was born August 8. 1831. His father, Andrew. a native of the same locality, was a mer- chant tailor by trade. and was a soldier of the Ger- man War of 1812. In 1856 Andrew Liller con- eluded to try his fortunes in America and accord- ingly eame hither, making his home in Lancaster until his death, in 1863. Ilis wife, who was before her marriage Catherine Schaaf. was born in the same neighborhood as was her husband, and her death occurred in 1837, when her son Christopher
was a child of only six years. The parents were devoted adherents of the Lutheran Church. in the faith of which they brought up their three sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living. One brother is still a resident of the Fatherland, but the two sisters make their home in the United States.
Christopher Liller was reared in Frankfort, where he acquired an excellent education in his mother tongue. On attaming suitable age he was admit- ted as a student in the School of Anatomy and Surgery, and served an apprenticeship as a barber. After his course of study at the School of Anatomy he passed his examinations and was graduated therefrom. In 1854 he sailed for America in the "Gilchrist" by way of Harve and New York City, arriving at the metropolis on the expiration of a thirty days' voyage. llis first work in the United States was in Brooklyn, and later he was employed on Pearl Street. New York City. For a time he was next in Jersey City, and in the fall of the same year he came to Lancaster, starting a shop in this block. He continued at the first lo- cation for about ten years, and then built the structure in which he has since been located. He is thoroughly competent as a surgeon, having learned the proper method of cupping, bleeding. leeching. ete. Dis shop is equipped with six chairs. and in addition to this there are public bath rooms well supplied with all convenience ;. Mr. Liller is an adept in his line and manufactures switches, etc., for the fair sex. Mrs. Liller has charge of the ladies' department in the shop, and superin- tends the renting of masquerade suits, of which they have a large assortment and for which there is considerable demand during certain seasons, they being the only ones in this line in the city.
Soon after coming to Lancaster, in 1851, Mr. Liller was married to Miss Eliza Pfeiffer, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, and five children have graced their union: George C., who keeps barbers' supplies; Charles, who is in business with his fa- ther; Charlotte, wife of John Brucker, a barber of this place; William II .. a practical confectioner of Lancaster, and Mary, Mrs. Miller, also of this city.
Mr. Liller is a member of Lodge No. 43, A. F. d. A. M .; Chapter No. 43. R. A. M .; Goodwin Coun-
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cil No. 19; Lancaster Lodge at Perfection, and Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T. He is also associated with Hebel Lodge No. 599, 1. O. O. F., and with the Teutonia No. 165, K. P'. Politi- eally he is a Democrat, and religiously belongs to the German Lutheran denomination. Having con- siderable musieal ability and much love for the art, he has long been numbered among the mem- bers of the Maennerchor.
GILSON BRU BAKER, deceased, was for- merly one of the prosperous agricul- turists and business men of Manheim Township. He was the owner of a good estate in that section and a hotel in Mechanicsburg, to which he gave his personal supervision. Our subject was the son of Wilson, Sr., and Susan (Shafer) Brubaker, and was born in Upper Leacock Town- ship, July 5, 1851. The Brubaker family is an old and respected one in Lancaster County. and its members are of German extraction.
The great-grandfather of our subject, by name Samuel Brubaker, was also a native of PennsyIva- nia and followed farm pursuits all his life. He was a Whig in politics and a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He married Elizabeth Eck- ert, and by her became the father of a son, also named Samuel, and who was the grandfather of Wilson of this sketch. He was an extensive farm- er of Earl Township, this county, being the pos- sessor of five valuable estates, which he operated with excellent success. Like his father, he too was a Whig in politics until the formation of the Re- publiean party, when he joined its ranks.
Wilson Brubaker, Sr., was born in the above township, December 13, 1810. Ile owned two good farms in this state and was generally conced- ed to be one of the most prosperous and substantial men in the county. In politics he was a Republi- ean and a decidedly public-spirited man, holding many offices of honor and trust. When twenty- eight years of age he was married to Miss Susan,
daughter of Solomon Shafer, a farmer of this coun- ty, and to them were granted five ehildren, namely : lohn, now deceased; Lizzie, the late wife of Ben- jamin Kreider; Susan, Mrs. Edward Grube; Samuel and Wilson. The husband and father departed this life September 5, 1891, and was preceded to the better land many years by his good wife, who passed away in 1852, when thirty-eight years of age.
The original of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm and obtained a good education in the common schcols. When starting out in life for himself he operated a hotel in Neffsville and one at Mechanicsburg. In 1888 he returned to his home in Manheim Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred July 7, 1894. 1le was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In polities he was an ardent admirer of Republican principles and never failed to cast a vote in favor of that party's candidates.
In September, 1880, Wilson Brubaker and Miss Amanda, daughter of Christian Bumberger, were united in marriage. The father of Mrs. Brubaker is a hotel keeper in Millersville and stands high in the business community. To our subject and lus estimable wife there were born four children, bearing the respective names of Wilson, Jr., Har- rison, Ada and Mabel.
D SHERMAN SMITH, D. D. S., a praetieing dentist in the city of Laneaster, was born in Lampeter Square, September 21, 1864. llis father, Dr. John S. Smith, was born June 27, 1838. in Lancaster County, and the grandfather, Abraham Carpenter Smith, was also a native of the same county. The latter, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction, was a large farmer and stock-grower and operated a sawmill on Pequea Creek. Ile died in that locality at the age of seventy-one years. Dr. J. S. Smith was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Dental College at Philadelphia and received the title of D. D. S. in 1865. He served in the late war
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as a U'nion soldier, being for a time a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Reg- iment. Later he served in the Third Pennsylvania Artillery from February 8, 1864, to November, 1865. In the engagement at Chancellorsville he was struck by a shell.
After his return home Dr. Smith was graduated and began the practice of his chosen profession in Lampeter Square. Afterward he had an office at Columbia, and in 1879 moved to Lancaster, where his practice became very large. He continued in the profession until his death, December 18, 1892. lle was also interested in the pension business and attended to many claims of soldiers in the late war. An honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, he served as Commander of Post No. 405, and was also a member of the National Vet- erans' Legion, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Ile was one of the organizers of the llarris Dental As- sociation and was prominent in the State Dental Association, besides being a liberal contributor to dental journals. In 1881 he took a partial course in the medical and surgical department of Jefferson Medical College. He was a member of the Duke Street Methodist Church and was a prominent official of the same. Politically he was a Repub- lican.
, Of our subject's mother it may be said that she was born near Strasburg, the daughter of Dan- iel Kreider, who was a farmer in Lancaster County. On this side of the family they trace their ancestry back to Hance Ilerr, of 1710 fame, who was among the first settlers of Lancaster County. The mother still resides at the old homestead. There were five children in the family, four of whom are living, our subject being the eldest. Ile was educated in the Columbia and Lancaster public schools, graduating from the high school in 1882, after which he took mp bookbinding with II. L. Trout, remaining thus engaged for four years, during which time he be- came a practical bookbinder. He then took a po- sition on the Philadelphia Press, but in 1889 en- tered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1890 with the degree of D). D. S. Ile practiced with his father one year and then opened an office at No. 3 East King Street,
Laneaster, where he practices dentistry in all of its branches.
The Masonie fraternity, Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M., claims Dr. Smith as an honored member. In Lodge No. 143, B. P. O. E., he is an esteemed Loyal Knight. He is Chaplain in the military order of Sons of Veterans and belongs to George II. Thomas Post No. 19. In religious matters he is a member of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Republican party and is a member of the Executive Committee of "The Young Republicans." He was a delegate to the State Dental Association which met at Niagara Falls in 1892, and is a member of the Lancaster Local Board of Directors of the Anglo-American Building & Loan Association.
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F MANUEL P. KELLER is engaged in farm- ) ing pursuits in Manheim Township. His fine estate is supplied with every needful and convenient structure in the way of buildings, and beautified with fruit and forest trees, also small Fruits. The energetic owner is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Schafer) Keller, and was born on the old Keller homestead, located on the Lancaster Pike, one mile north of that city, April 18, 1816.
The grandfather of our subject, Charles Andrew Keller, was born in this state, of German descent, and located in this county when a young man, with his parents' family. He was a brass founder by trade, which business he followed during the active years of his life. He married Miss Barbara Bigler, by whom he became the father of the foi- lowing named children, Anna Maria, John Peter, John, Andrew, Adam, Jacob, Sophia, Michael, Ben- jamin and Jeremiah.
Adam Keller, the father of our subject, learned the trade of a brass founder from his father, which he followed for some time, but devoted the greater part of his time and attention to rope-making, at which business he was an expert. Later in life he
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purchased five aeres of land, where our subject was born, ereeted a comfortable brick residence on the place and kept adding to it five acres at a time un- til he had forty acres. He derived a good income from the cultivation of his property, raising as mueh grain on the forty acres as many farmers would on one hundred.
In politics Adam Keller was a stanch Demo- crat and a member of the Franklin Benevolent So- eiety. He worshiped with the Lutheran Church and in the congregation near his home filled the office of Trustee, being aetive in all church work and a man greatly respected in his community. Ile married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Schafer, of Baltimore, Md., and to them were born sixteen children, of whom nine grew to manhood and womanhood. The husband and father died in 1864, at the age of eighty years, having been born December 7. 1784. His good wife is also de- ceased, departing this life June 23, 1854. John Peter Keller, great-grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1760, locating in this state. He was mar- ried in the Fatherland and he and his wife, Anna Maria, departed this life in Lancaster County, where they were well and favorably known.
The original of this sketch received his educa- tion in the district school and when old enough to be of assistance worked on the home farm, thus becoming thoroughly prepared to assume the man- agement of property of his own. When twenty- seven years of age he was married, and loeating upon a tract of land in Manheim Township, has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. Ile has been remarkably successful in his calling and by much hard work on his part, together with the assistance rendered by his estimable wife, he has accumulated a good property.
March 12, 1844, our subject and Miss Harriet B., daughter of John Shrap, were united in marriage. To them have been granted three children, namely: Julia Anna, John Adam and Mary Elizabeth. The father of Mrs. Keller was born in Pennsylvania, March 16, 1773. He was a well educated man and taught sehool for some time, together with carrying on a mercantile trade. Later in life however, he turned huis attention to farming, and in 1827 moved
upon the estate now owned by our subject, and which is located on the Fruitville Pike, three miles from Lancaster. The year previous to selling his farm he tried his luck in the Union Canal Lottery and was fortunate enough to draw $20,000, which together with the means which he already possessed. enabled him to spend his declining years amid comfort and luxury. He married Miss Julia A. Lightner, who came from one of the old and prom- inent families of the state, and to them were born three children, John L., now deceased; Mrs. Keller, and Mary A. The wife of our subject is a most estimable and worthy lady, and a devoted mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. Keller also belongs. In politics he is a strong Democrat. In 1872 he was elected County Commissioner for a term of three years. Ile always takes an active part in local affairs and has served as a member of the School Board on numerous occasions.
J OSEPH II. RATHFON for a period of five years was City Treasurer of Lancaster, and acquitted himself with great ability and to the satisfaction of everyone in the discharge of the important duties of that position. On the ehange of administration in 1892 he retired from the office, but in April, 1894, was honored by be- ing re-elected to the post which he holds at the present time. Ile makes a reliable and trustworthy official, keeping his accounts in a very systematic manner, and by all who have dealings with him is considered a most courteous and affable gentleman. lle is a native of this eity, his birth having here occurred July 6, 1856.
The Rathfon family are descendants of Swiss refugees who came to this state several generations since and assisted in the upbuilding and develop- ment of the community in which they located. Joseph, the grandfather of J. II., was born in Con- estoga Township, of this county, and during his lifetime followed agricultural pursuits, being the
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owner of a large tract of land lying along the Conestoga Creek. During his whole life he re- sided in the township of that name, where his death occurred in 1822. His only child was Jacob, who ' and in all eireles in which he moves numbers was born on the old homestead. and in his youth many very true and sincere friends and acquaint- 1 ances, who esteem him highly for his known quali- ties of integrity and uprightness. learned the tailor's trade. This has been his call- ing since that time, and for many years he has carried on a clothing business in Lancaster, since 1867 having been a member of the firm of Samuel M. Myers & Rathfon, at No. 12 East King Street. A very ardent Republican, he has served as a mem- ber of the Common Council from the First Ward, and was elected to serve on the School Board from the same ward. ITIs second term in that capacity was as a member from the Sixth Ward, and he is very conscientious in the discharge of publie du- ties. Religiously for many years past he has served as a Vestryman in the Lutheran Church, and is at present a Trustee. April 30, 1844. he married Miss Mary L. Brown, and of their union were born the following children: Mary E., Gilbert B., Will- iam P .. Jolin E .. J. II. and Melvin II. The eldest of the family, Mary, became the wife of Christian Rine, Jr., who died February 20, 1887.
The subject of this biography attended the pub- lie schools of the city until about fifteen years of age, when he started out to make his own liveli- hood. Deciding to become a printer, he entered the Intelligencer office, serving an apprenticeship at the trade, upon the completion of which he worked on the New Era for a period of three years. Later he obtamed a position in the postoffice as a Money Order clerk, and acted as such from February, 1881, until August 5, 1885. For about two years succeeding this he was engaged with his father in the clothing business, but in April, 1887, was elected City Treasurer, and in 1892, when he re- signed his place, he returned to his father's store. there remaining for about two years.
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