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 20
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bers of St. John's Episcopal Church of this city, and lend their assistance to worthy benevolences. Mr. Rathfon is an able business man and finaneier,
. FRANK RIED DIFFENDERFFER. a well known journalist of Lancaster and Secre- tary of the Pennsylvania German Society. was born in New Holland, Lancaster County, Pa .. April 30, 1833. Ile is of German aneestry, and the fifth in the line of descent from John Diffen- derffer, a native of Nehrisheim, near Heidelberg. in the Palatinate. Ile sailed from Rotterdam in the ship " William and Sarah," reaching Philadel- phia September 18. 1727, and soon afterward settled in this county. David Diffenderffer, Ins grandfa- ther. was first a volunteer in the Continental army during the Revolution, and later became a com- missioned otticer. He participated in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton in 1776, in the second bombardment of that place in 1777, and in the battle of Princeton, where he was taken prisoner, and was one of the famous "sugar house" captives. Ile was at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, at the battles of Monmouth in the latter year, and served under Genera! Sullivan in the memorable campaign against the Six Nations in western New York in 1779.
The subject of this article was educated in the public schools of his native place and at Marshall College. lle was trained to the business of a book seller, which pursuit he followed for six years in Lancaster. In 1857 he removed to Mexico, where he engaged in general merchandising for a period of fifteen years. In 1871 he returned to this city, and in conjunction with his two brothers started the banking house of Diffenderffer Bros.
On the Ist of October. 1878, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Rathfon and Mary E., daughter of George II. Hartman. a well known resident of this city. Our subject and his estimable wife had a little son, who was named George Il. in honor of his grandfather, but who was called from their home by the death angel, December 13, 1880, at In 1877 Mr. Diffenderffer became one of the the age of fifteen months. The parents are mem- ; editors of the New Era, one of the most inthien-
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tial and successful newspapers in eastern Penn- sylvania. Since then he has been a voluminous writer, not only for his own paper, but also for state and national publications. lle is the author of the history of "The Three Earls" (townships m Laneaster County), and of numerous historical articles on matters of local interest. He is the See- retary of the Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and a member of the Lin- næan Scientific and Historical Society and of the Ilistorical Society of Pennsylvania. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania German So- ciety, the first meeting looking to the formation of this organization having met in his office at his invitation. Although only four years old, this society has advanced rapidly in influence and membership. Its aim and object are to perpetuate the memory and deeds of the ancestors of the members, search out, colleet and preserve still ex- isting documents relating to the early history of these people, and to publish such as shall set forth the part belonging to them in the growth and de- velopment of American institutions and progress. The membership is composed of the lineal descen- dants of the early German and Swiss immigrants, and ineludes many of the most prominent and in- fuential citizens of the state. Of this society, Mr. Diffenderffer has been the Secretary smee its or- ganization, and has edited the four volumes of "Papers and Proceedings" already published. and in this capacity has shown enterprise, zeal and ability in producing works at once attractive in appearance and of high literary merit. Ile was also one of the founders of the Lancaster County Historical Society, and the first Secretary of the Lancaster County Forestry Association.
Although an ardent Republican, Mr. Diffenderf. fer has never been allured by the attractions of political life, though he may claim to be among the founders of his party, as he was, when a young man, the Secretary of the first Republican elub formed in this county, this being in 1856. Ile has served in the Councils of Lancaster City, and was twice Acting Vice-Consul of the U'nited States m the city of El Paso, Mexico. Living in the largest tobacco-growing county in the United States, Mr. Diffenderffer, through his journalistic
relations, has naturally made tobacco and the sta- tisties on the subject a study. For both the state and general Government he has written exten- sively on this topic, having prepared the article on this industry in Pennsylvania which appeared in the Tenth Census Report, and is an acknowl- edged authority on matters pertaining to this sub- jeet. In the year 1873 our subject was married to Miss Annie S. Sprenger, and one son, Harold Frank by name, has resulted from their union.
) DWARD CONROY is one of the enterpris- ing and progressive business men of Lan- easter, being proprietor of the South Queen Street green-houses. Ile is a practical florist, hav- ing served his full time at the trade and has become well acquainted with its various details. As the result of his business ability, industry and perse- verance, he has succeeded in building up a fine trade and has a nice appearing row of green-houses fitted out in the most approved methods.
Edward Conroy was born near Jersey City, N. J., November 19, 1856. llis father, Patrick Con- roy, was a native of Ireland and was reared in Maryland to agricultural pursuits. Loeating in New Jersey, he there successfully engaged in carry- ing on a farm until his death, at the extreme old age of eighty-seven years. Ilis wife, who was in her maiden days Ann Chrisom, was likewise a na- tive of the Emerald Isle, and was the mother of six sons and one daughter.
On attaining the age of eighteen years, Edward Conroy commeneed learning the business of flori- culture with JJudge Lathrop, at Madison, N. J. At the end of three years, during which time he was assiduous in his attention and interest in the work, he began traveling and continued his journeys through Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1887 Mr. Conroy located in Lancaster, believing that this would be a favorable point for a young man of enterprise
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and ability to start in business, and the result has shown the wisdom of his decision. Necessarily commencing on a small scale, he rented a green- house in the west end and was situated there for three years, during which time he built up a good reputation in his line of work and laid the foun- dation for his future success. In 1890 he took charge of the green-house which he now operates. This plant he laid out and has rebuilt, being the first person to occupy the premises. The six green- houses are models of their kind and cover a large extent of space. five of the number being 100x20 feet and the other 120x16 feet in dimensions. Mr. Conroy is an adept in the line of decorative work, making a specialty of getting up beautiful designs. Ile has a large trade in cut flowers by the whole- sale, and is making a good success of his business. Sinee becoming associated with this work he has been a member of the American Florists' Society, and studies the best magazines and papers on the subject.
In 1884 Mr. Conroy was married in Jersey City to Miss Ann Martin. a native of New York State, and of their union have been born four children, Ann, Mary, Helen and Edward. The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and polit- ically our subject uses his influence in favor of the Democratic party. Hle is a young man of in- tegrity in his business efforts and numbers many warm friends in this locality.
P RANK 1. BIEMESDERFER, M. D., who comes from one of the respected pioneer families of Lancaster County, is an enter- prising physician and surgeon who has succeeded in building up a fine and paying practice in Lan- caster. This father, one of the influential citizens of this place until his recent death, was John Biemesderfer, whose birth occurred in Elizabeth Township. flis father who bore the same Chris- tian name, was born in that township and for
years was a cabinet maker, later devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. Ile was of German lin- eage, a member of the Lutheran Church and was seventy years of age on Ins demise in 1879. The Doetor's father also learned the furniture trade, which he followed for some years successfully, then took charge of the old Keller mill just east of Lititz. Subsequently he abandoned the milling business and engaged in running an hotel after the war. He was in the one hundred days' ser- vice at that time and was a member of the City Council of Manheim for years. For a period of nine years he was proprietor of the Rothville Hotel and then for fourteen years ran the American Rail- road House of Manheim. For a term of five years he was in charge of the Lancaster County Hlouse on East King Street, but retired January 1, 1894, on account of ill health. Ile was called from this life February 12 of that year, and was placed to rest in Manheim. Ile was a member of the Lutheran Church and politically was a Republican.
The mother of the Doctor was before her mar- riage Caroline Ressler. She was born near Lititz, in Pine Ilill, in which vicinity her father, Isaac Ressler, was also born. Ile was a farmer of Ger- man deseent and his death occurred when he was in the prime of life, he being only forty-five years of age. Mrs. Biemesderfer is still living, her home being in Lancaster. Of her six children the Doetor is the only one living, the others having died in childhood.
In the fall of 1883. after receiving a good publie and high school education at Manheim, Dr. Biem- esderfer entered the Millersville Normal School, from which he graduated three years later with the degree of Bachelor of Elements. Afterwards he taught school quite successfully for one year at Lancaster Junction and then devoted himself to the study of medicine with Dr. C. J. Snaveley, a leading physician of Manheim. In 1888 he be- came a student of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his diploma and the degree of Doctor of Medicine on his grad- uation in 1891. Commencing his professional ea- reer he located in Lancaster, having his office at No. 212 East King Street. Ile has built up a good rep- utation and a remunerative practice, his office be-
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ing now at No. 527 Church Street. He is on the medical staff of St. Joseph's Hospital and belongs to the Lancaster County and City Medical Societies. as well as to the Pathologieal Society. As a member of the Young Men's Republican Club he is greatly interested in polities. Fraternally he is associated with the Junior Order of United American Me- chanies and the Benevolent Order of Elks. For several years he was organist of the Manheim Lutheran Church, and while at Millersville devoted considerable time to the study of the art, afterward teaching for awhile. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church of this city and is a young man of good principle, integrity and honor.
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H ENRY DRACHBAR. As a representative of the business element, to whose progres- sive spirit and superior abilities is due much of the prosperity enjoyed by Lancaster, we present the name of Mr. Drachbar, who is well known not alone in this city, but also throughout the county. His entire life has been spent in the town where he now resides. Ilere he was born November 10, 1848, to the union of Henry and Anna Donner Drachbar. The family is of German origin, the paternal grandfather of our subject, Anthony Drachbar, having been born in IIesse- Cassel. Ile was a Catholic and died in that faith at the age of sixty-five years.
The father of our subject, Henry Drachbar, was the third in order of birth among five children. He was born in Ilesse-Cassel and there resided un- til thirty years of age, when, accompanied by his wife and two children, he started across the Atlantie intending to locate in America. One child died during the voyage. Arriving in the United States he settled in New Jersey, but shortly afterward removed to Pennsylvania and made set- tlement in Lancaster County, where he continued to reside until his death. Ile was a brick layer
and stone mason by trade, and engaged as a eon- tractor. doing a large business throughout the county. In religious belief he was a member of the Catholic Church and belonged to the Cath- olie beneficial societies. Politically he was a Dem- oerat. Ile died in 1881, aged sixty-five years. Ilis wife passed away in 1887, at the age of sixty- eight years. Their children, seven in number. were named as follows: Philip B., Henry, Mary. Albert, Clara, John and Kate.
Remaining with his parents until attaining man- hood, Mr. Drachbar meantime was the recipient of common school advantages. Ile selected for his occupation that in which his father had previously engaged, and for some time assisted the latter in his work as a brick layer and mason. At the pres- ent time he is in partnership with his brother Philip. In this line of work he is one of the most prominent and successful business men of Lan- caster, and in his employ at one time had as many as thirty-eight skilled workmen. Among the con- traets which he has had may be mentioned the fol- lowing: the Franklin and Schiller Hotels, St. Jo- sephi's Hospital and Academy: Ann, South Prince, New, Manor and Walnut Street Schools. Lancaster Caramel Works, Lancaster County Trust Company Building, Williams & Foster large store, the old umbrella factory. Girard House. Steinman & Co. Building, Inquirer Building, Southern and Western Markets, Arnold and Heinitsh Blocks, Science and Library Building at Millersville, Lancaster Car- riage Works, and innumerable warehouses.
In politics a Democrat. Mr. Drachbar is interest- ed in all measures perta ning to his party. Ile is a progressive citizen and is a warm advocate of every project calculated to promote the welfare of people. Ile has served as Street Commissioner, and at one time was candidate for the Legislature, but the Democratic party being in the minority he was defeated with the rest of the ticket. He is a men- ber of the Catholic Church. and belongs to St. Leo's Beneficial Society and the Shanahan Catholic Beneficial League. With the Maennerchor Singing Society he is also associated, and for many years was President of the organization.
February 22, 1881, Mr. Drachbar was united in marriage with Miss Kate, daughter of Francis and
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Barbara Themenz. They have had nine children, namely: John, Francis, Mary, Jerome, Helen, Vin- cent, Julia, Henry and Raymond. Of these, Mary, Ilelen, Vineent, Julia and Henry are deceased.
RR EV. D. WESLEY BICKSLER was one of the prime movers and founders of the Laneaster General Hospital, of which he is now Superintendent, and deserves great eredit for his zealous and disinterested efforts in getting the institution established. lle had always be- lieved that Lancaster ought to have a general and non-sectarian hospital. One day in 1892, on meet- ing one of the members of his lodge of the Knights of Malta, he broached the idea he had in mind, and at their next lodge meeting an address on the ad- visability of starting a general hospital here was delivered by Rev. Mr. Bieksler. A committee was appointed to look into the matter and he was made one of the same. The committee organized by electing Reuben Bertzfield as Chairman and 11. M. Illyus Secretary. After they had worked for a few months they decided to issue a circular to all the Protestant churches and benevolent orders of the city, asking them to appoint committees of three members from each organization. They met in convention in the parlors of the Young Men's Christian Association, Rev. Mr. Bicksler being made President of the meeting and temporary President of the Board of Directors. The charter for the hospital was finally granted in September, 1893, one article for the same making it a regular tram- ing school for nurses. The institution wasopened December 19, 1893, and the success of this new enterprise is now assured.
The birth of Rev. Mr. Bieksler occurred in Bethel Township, Berks County, December 15, 1851, and in that same locality also occurred the birth of his father, David S., and his grandfather, Daniel Biek- sler. Ilis great-great-grandfather, who bore the Christian name of Peter, emigrated from Switzer- land and took up land in Pennsylvania, on which
the four succeeding generations were born. The father of our subject was a farmer and owned the old homestead, and among other family relies had an old Bible, which is now in the possession of Rev. Mr. Bicksler. About 1880 his father sold the old farm and removed to Ohio, where he passed his remaining years. llis wife, Anna, was a daughter of Daniel Bicksler, of Fredericksburg. Pa. She became the mother of seven children: Mrs. Anna Bneher, of Altoona, Pa .; Charles A. and Francis D .. residents of Ohio; A. Lincoln, who resides in Nebraska; Mrs. Lizzie Ransharger, of Troy Grove, La Salle County, Ill .; our subject, D. Wesley, and Aaron J., who died in infancy.
The youth of Rev. Mr. Bicksler was passed in assisting his father in the care of the old home- stead, and his education was acquired in the com- mon schools. When about eighteen years old he began serving an apprenticeship to the shoemak- er's trade, and at the same time privately prepared for the ministry. After having been licensed to preach, he further pursued a theological course in Central Pennsylvania College, then called Union Seminary. Hle first filled several vacancies and then took a regular charge in Halifax, Pa., where he remained for a year. Ile was next placed on the Brownstown eireuit in this county, and dur- ing the years which followed he was successively in charge of congregations at Birdsboro and Wo- melsdorf, Berks County; Mt. Joy. Lancaster Coun- ty; Dauphin charge, Dauphin County; Barnesville, Schuylkill County; and White Haven, Luzerne County. In 1891 he came to Lancaster to take charge of the First Evangelical Church on North Water Street. This building is quite an old one, having been erected in 1840, and the congrega- tion was served by our subject until July, 1893. when he was elected Superintendent of the hos- pital. For the past five years he has been Statis- tical Secretary of the Eastern Pennsylvania Con- ference of the Evangelical Association, and has faithfully devoted his best efforts to advancing his Master's cause and to zealous work in llis vine yard.
Rev. Mr. Bieksler was married in Akron, Lan- caster County, in September, 1881, to Miss Almeda B., daughter of Samuel K. and Fannie Wolf. The
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former is now retired from business and is a Di- rector in the Lincoln National Bank of this coun- ty. To Mr. and Mrs. Bicksler were born the fol- lowing children, who are living: Samuel D., Anna 1., Harry E., Charles L. and Minnie E. Rev. Mr. Bieksler is a member of the Knights of Malta, and the Junior Order of Umted American Mechanics.
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R EV. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHMIDT is pas- tor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, which is situated on St. Joseph Street, Lancaster. This congregation is one of the largest and most prosperous in the city, and was organized about 1869 by Father Tamachin. Father Schmidt cele- brated his silver jubilee in 1891, it having been just twenty-five years since he was ordained a Priest in the Cathedral of Philadelphia.
The birth of the Reverend Father occurred in the village of Ornbau, on the River Altmuehl. Bavaria, May 9, 1846. His paternal grandfather, Adam Schmidt, was an agriculturist, and his father, who bore the Christian name of Martin, was a native of the same district. Ile learned the trade of a mason and stone cutter, and in 1854, with his fam- ily, set sail for America, going by way of Bremen, with Baltimore as his destination. In the last named city he remained for about three years working at his trade and thence went to York, Pa., where he continued actively engaged in work un- til he retired. Ile was a resident of York until his decease, August 5, 1894. His wife, who before her marriage was Barbara Kautz, was born in Bavaria, being a daughter of a farmer, Adam Kautz by name. Six children graced the union of Martin and Bar- bara Schmidt, but only three of the number are now living. The devoted wife and mother is a resident of York, and is eighty-four years of age.
Father Schmidt, who was next to the eldest in his father's family, attended the common schools
of Baltimore and the parochial school of St. Mary's, in York, until 1859. At that time he entered St. Vincent's College at Latrobe, where he pursued a complete course in the classics, after which he was enrolled as a student in the St. Charles' Semi- nary in Philadelphia, which is located at the cor- ner of Eighteenth and Race Streets. After com- pleting the required course of theology and phi- losophy he was ordained, on January 2, 1869, by Bishop C. Shanahan, the first Bishop of the Harris- burg diocese. The young Priest's first charge was as an assistant at St. Mary's, Lebanon, Pa., where he remained only until May, 1869, thence going to the Harrisburg Cathedral, where he was an as- sistant for about five months. The succeeding three years he was pastor of St. Hubert's Catholic Church in Danville, Pa., and next ofliciated as Priest in St. Joseph's Church at Renovo, Clinton County, until October, 1878. During this time. under his auspices, the present church and school were erected and great progress was made in every department of church work. In October, 1878, Father Schmidt returned to Danville and once more took charge of St. Hubert's congregation, over which he presided for ten years.
On the death of Father John Grotemeyer, of St. Joseph's Church, Father Schmidt was assigned the position. this being in 1888, and he at once took charge of the congregation. In 1891 the pa- roelal residence was built at a cost of $20,000, a new pipe organ has been placed in the church at a cost of $4,000, and five sanctuary windows have been placed in the church. These were imported from Europe and represent the five JJoyful Mys- teries. They are considered by judges to be very fine works of art and their cost was some $1,500. The church owns nearly one block of land on which it is situated, and six acres of land adjoin- ing the city, on which is located the St. Joseph's Cemetery. St. Joseph's congregation numbers over four hundred families, or about two thousand persons; the altar sodality has three hundred mem- bers, the solidity of the Blessed Virgin three hun- dred and fifty members, and the St. Peter and St. James Societies for men also number many regular attendants and members. In the parochial school which is carried on in connection with the church
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there are seven sisters of the St. Francis Order. On the occasion of the silver jubilee of Father Schmidt, which was celebrated at the rectory, there was a large attendance of many notable people and members of the clergy. Of the latter there were over thirty-five present and among these was the celebrated Bishop Thomas McGovern.
H ON. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS ATLEE. When mention is made of the influential citizens of Laneaster, those who have at- tained positions of especial prominence in the pul- pit, at the Bar, on the Bench, or in the avenues of commerce, the mind at once reverts to the subject of this biographical notice, who has been a life long resident of this city. His entire active career has been devoted to the legal profession, and his researches and culture have moulded him into a type of lawyer which in dignity, ability and learn- ing marks the highest order of his profession. By constant application, broad knowledge and ex- tended practice, he has gained a wide reputation as a reliable counsel and successful advocate.
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There is no family in Lancaster whose origin is more noble or whose history more honorable than that represented by our subject. Ilis father, Dr. John Light Atlee, whose sketch is elsewhere pre- sented, was a physician and surgeon of national reputation, and one of the most eminent men of Lancaster. William Augustus was born in this city January 9, 1832, and received the rudiments of his education in the public schools of this place. Later he entered Yale College, and from that insti- tution in 1851 he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Subsequently, in 1854, the de- gree of Master of Arts was eonferred upon him by the same college.
Immediately after completing his literary studies, Mr. Atlee commenced to read law under Thomas E. Franklin, and after three years of study was ad- mitted to the Bar, in August, 1854. Since that
time he has devoted his attention to his large and varied practice. lle has allowed no outside mat- ters to interfere with his profession. Neither the allurements of public office nor the winning smiles of fortune tempt him from the chosen labor of his life. Only one thing ever eaused him to lay aside his books and papers, and that was the peril of the Government during the dark days of the Civil War. With true patriotie spirit he responded to the first call for troops, which was issued by Presi- dent Lincoln in 1861. Volunteering as a private, his name was enrolled as a member of Company F, First Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mus- tered in at Harrisburg for three months and was honorably discharged at the expiration of the time.
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