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 21
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In the summer of 1862, when the call for troops was issued at the battle of Antietam, among those who responded was Captam Atlee, of Company A, Twelfth Pennsylvania Militia. In the summer of 1863, when the emergency call came at the time of the battle of Gettysburg, he served as Captain of Company F, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Militia. Po- litically he has always championed Republican principles, and has long been a leader in the coun- eils of the party. In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republiean County Committee. From 1865 until 1868 he served as District Attorney. Ile enjoys the distinction of having been the first Republican Mayor of Lancaster, having been elected in 1869 upon the straight Republican ticket. Ile filled the office for a term of two years, but did not discon- tinne his practice in the meantime.
At Lancaster, October 14, 1857, occurred the marriage of Mr. Atlee and Miss Elizabeth Champ- neys, who was born in this eity. Mrs. Atlee's fa- ther was the late Judge Benjamin Champneys, formerly a prominent attorney of this place and Judge of the courts. They are the parents of three living children, Benjamin C., John L. and Elizabeth S. Socially, Mr. Atlee is a Mason of the Royal Arch degree, and is also a member of the George Il. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R. He is one of the charter members of the Lancaster Law Library Association. For years he has been one of the most active men in the vestry of St. James Episcopal Church and is a regular attendant at its services. When at leisure from professional du-
J. M. W. GEIST.
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ties, he finds pleasant relaxation from business cares in the society of his family and in social in- tercourse with his friends. Ile is a man of genial disposition, and is always happiest when welcom- ing and entertaining his guests at the family resi- dence on the corner of North Duke and Orange Streets.
J M. W. GEIST. Throughout the Keystone State there is no name held in higher honor than that of the "Nestor of journalism," who is the subject of this biographical sketch. Associated with the newspaper business for a half- century, he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest editor in Lancaster County, but though now in the twilight of life his pen is as vigorous and his utterances as forcible as in days of yore. With all the enterprises tending to the improvement of his city and county he has been intimately con- nected, and both through the press and by per- sonal influence he has promoted the welfare of his fellow-men.
The Lancaster New Era. of which Mr. Geist is editor, is one of the leading papers of this section of Pennsylvania. It has a circulation of over fourteen thousand and is read by many thousands more. In 189] the plant was removed to Nos. 39 and 41 Northi Queen Street, where a commodious and sub- stantial building has been erected for its accom- modation. The location is central and conven- ient, and the building admirably adapted to the business, which occupies its entire extent. The structure contains an area of over twelve thousand square feet, is three stories in height and is built of brick, with stone trimmings.
The first floor is occupied with the business office and delivery room in front and the press room in the rear, the two being separated by oaken paneled wainscoting under a double arch sup- ported on iron columns and lilled in with glass. The entire length of this floor is one hundred and six feet. Next to the business office, on a solid brick
and stone foundation built up from the cellar, stands one of the latest improved perfecting. print- ing and folding machines, built for the New Era. It takes the paper from a roll, prints both sides and folds, delivers and counts the papers at the rate of twenty-four thousand copies per hour of a single folio, or twelve thousand double folios. In the same room are an Adams press, a large drum cyl- inder. a two-revolution book press and a pony job press. The machinery and the freight elevator are run by a twenty horse-power Perret Electric Motor.
In the rear of the press room and connected with it is a two-story building. The lower floor is used as a stereotyping department and is fur- nished with a complete outfit for newspaper and job work. The second floor is occupied by the job printing department. furnished with seven presses and other latest improved appliances for first-class work, and that of the building in the rear is utilized as a stock room. On the third floor are the compositors department and the editorial rooms. The building is lighted with Edison incan- descent lamps, is also supplied with gas fixtures and has two fire proof vaults.
llaving thus briefly outlined a sketch of the New Era it will be of interest to our readers to place on record some facts concerning the editor. Mr. Geist was born in Bart Township, Lancaster County. December 14, 1824. and is of German and Scotch descent. He was orphaned by his mother's death when he was a boy, and his father having lost his eyesight before J. M. W. was born, the lat- ter was carly in life thrown upon his own resour- ces. Educational advantages in those days were meagre, both the school buildings and the quality of instruction being very crude. However, as he grew toward manhood he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for acquiring knowledge, and so rapid was his progress that at the age of sixteen he began to teach school. He had no am- bition to make this his life occupation. nor was he particularly impressed with the medical profession, though he commenced its study at the earnest so- licitation of friends.
While a student Mr. Geist wrote occasional arti- cles for contemporaneous journals, and his ability
6
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being recognized. he soon drifted into the printing and stereotyping business, in both of which arts he acquired proficiency. His first venture in the journalistic field was as publisher and editor of the Lancaster Reformer, which responsible position he assumed at less than twenty years of age. On ac- count of lack of funds he was obliged to abandon the enterprise, but subsequently renewed it at Har- risburg in partnership with U. J. Jones. In 1846 he edited an independent Democratie paper ealled the Yeoman, which was largely instrumental in defeating William B. Foster, the Democratie ean- didate for State Canal Commissioner. In 1847 he was news editor of the Pennsylvanian, published by Hamilton & Fooney in Philadelphia. In 1848 and 1849 he furnished editorial and literary con- tributions to the Columbia Spy and Laneaster Er- press.
Subsequently returning to Philadelphia, Mr. Geist became the assistant editor of the Quaker City, a literary journal edited by George Lippard, and news editor of the Evening Argus, published under the same auspices. Later he became editor of the Sunday Globe, and was afterward similarly employed with the Sunday Mercury. During his editorial management the Globe increased its cireu- lation from two thousand to nearly twenty thou- sand per week. From 1852 until 1856 he was editor of the Weekly Express at Lancaster, and when the Daily Express was established, during the year last named. he and John Il. Pearsol began its publication. This they continned until the fall of 1876, when the Express was sold and consoli- dated with the Lancaster Examiner. Mr. Geist served as editor of the consolidated journal until March, 1877, when he resigned, owing to a differ- enee between himself and the political policy of the publisher.
In April, 1877, a stock company was being formed by the independent element of Lancaster County to establish a journal that should voice that sentiment. A large sum of money had al- ready been subscribed when llon. John B. Warfel, then just retired from the State Senate, agreed to assume the financial responsibility of the new paper. This was adopted. being considered a more feasible plan than the stock company. In this way
commenced the partnership of Warfel & Geist and the publication of the New Era, the senior partner devoting his attention to the business management. and the junior partner taking the editorship.
For many years Mr. Geist served as Vice-Presi- dent of the Young Men's Christian Association, and his indefatigable exertions on several ocea- sions saved that organization and its fine library from being financially stranded. Ile also aided in seeuring the choice colleetion of books that has attracted to the Association Hall the young men of the city, thus affording a healthful mental stim- ulus. In religious belief he is identified with St. John's Free Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Vestryman for nearly forty years, and to the growth of which he has largely contributed.
There is no man more highly esteemed than Mr. Geist among the newspaper fraternity. From the editorial columns of a local contemporary we quote the following: "To Mr. Geist journalism has been from earliest manhood an absorbing passion. Nothing that detracted from it, nothing that inter- fered with it in the slightest degree did he ever allow to come between him and his darling pur- suit. Public office of a lucrative character has been offered him again and again, and at times when he sorely stood in need of its added emoluments, but with a rare singleness of purpose, ever true to his calling, he always turned his back upon politics and its allurements except as these contributed to replenish the news columns of his paper. or were made to fill out the chosen work of his busy life ealling. And what a life's work in has been!
"Editor Geist wielded his magnificent pen through the heroie age of American history. It has often been remarked that the great gen- erals who fought in the war were fortunate in the happy coincidence that they came upon that stage in the prime of life. The same happy coin- eidenee attended the career of Mr. Geist; in the strength of middle life, with a rich and varied journalistie experience behind him, he presided over the best newspaper this county then pos- sessed, at a period when the war lashed to fury every element of society. He employed his saered otlice of teacher and preacher combined to sound the bugle notes of warning and eall men to duty
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and to battle in behalf of an imperiled nation with the fidelity of a man who loved his country only next to his God."
In closing an extended account of the life and works of Mr. Geist another contemporary says: "It gives us pleasure to record so full a life as this in making up the record of the leading men of this state in the line of publie journalism, and it onee more emphasizes in a marked degree the fact that for honest, industrious, high-minded, true- hearted men, there is room in our noble calling; and that success is not alone to be gauged by the standard of this grabbing age in dollars and cents, but in all that goes to make up a full rounded character. Mr. Geist exemplifies in his life's work that manhood and courage must not be lost sight of and that the greatest journalist, even in these times, can be the best citizen."
F DWARD KRECKEL for thirty-seven years has been engaged in the harness business. and by attending strictly to his financial interests has built up a fine local reputation, and many years has transaeted $20.000 worth of busi- ness. Ilis shop is centrally located at No. 30 Penn Square. Lancaster, where everything in the line of saddles, harness, trunks, robes, blankets, etc., may be procured. The store is a substantial build- ing. 20x100 feet in dimensions, with three floors and a basement, which are erowded with the largest and most complete line of goods in this business in the city.
Mr. Kreekel was born October 9, 1839, in Nas- sau, Germany. Ilis parents were John and Cath- erine (Gilbert) Kreckel. The former was a native of the same town as his son, and received an ex- cellent education, later turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. He served for seven years in the army, being with Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. In 1842 he removed to the United States with his wife and four children, and set-
tling in this eity, made his home here until his death. As he was possessed of considerable means, he lived retired from business most of the time after settling here. His death occurred on the 1st of July, 1867, at the age of seventy-four years. Ile was twice married. by his first union having three children, and by his second union two ehil- dren. Edward and Rose. The mother, who was born in 1802, is still living. The father was one of the organizers of St. Joseph's Society, and was a very active member of the Catholic Church. In his political proclivities he sided with the Whig party.
Edward Kreckel received a private and public school education until reaching his thirteenth year in Laneaster. At that time he was employed in the Conestoga Cotton Factory. Again for a short time he was in the cotton mill after having served as an errand boy for a hat store. Deeiding to become a harness maker, he served an apprentice- ship at that trade, and after completing the same started in business on a small scale at Fairfield, Drumore Township, this county, selling ont at the end of a year. Returning to Lancaster, he was engaged in business for a short period, and then going west, located at Louisville, Ky .. in the same line of trade. In 1857 he returned to Laneaster, entering the employ of B. Yecker, with whom he continued until October. 1860. For the next two decades he gave his faithful assistance to M. Haber- bush. and finally, in June, 1881, opened a shop of his own at No. 4 East King Street, which was bis headquarters for the following seven years. Succeeding this he was for three years situated at No. 5 East King Street, opposite his former loca- tion, and in 1891 purchased his old employer's business, where he has since been engaged in trade. Eight men are constantly employed to fill orders, and his trade extends over this and adjoining coun- ties, the site of the business being the oldest in the eitv.
In 1859 Mr. Kreckel married Catharine, daugh- ter of Charles Rice, of this city, a weaver by trade. To this marriage the following children were born: Mary, wife of Fred C. Ruof. of the Central Cafe, Lancaster; Edward and John (twins), who assist their father in business; Catherine S .;
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Lucy and Charles (twins), the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kreckel are members of the Roman Catholic Church. and he belongs to St. Peter and St. Joseph Beneficiary Societies, Al- though often solicited to serve in political offices, he has constantly refused, though he is a good Democrat. Though he commenced life a poor boy, he has become well-to-do by his own efforts.
H ENRY GOOD for over fifty years has been one of the residents of Pequea Township. his postoffice being Martickville, Lancas- ter County. Ile comes of one of the honored early families of this district, who have been sup- porters of the old Mennonite Church, and have been noted for their industrious and thrifty quali- ties. The paternal grandfather, John Good was born and reared in this township. and was a very successful financier. He succeeded in making a nice little fortune in his various enterprises as a farmer, miller and distiller. For many years he was Justice of the Peace, and politically was a Democrat. By his marriage with Miss Kreider, he had seven children. as follows: Christian. Barbara (wife of George Woffel), Jacob. John, Elizabeth (wife of Benjamin Kaufman), one who died in in- fancy unnamed, and Daniel.
Christian, the father of Ilenry Good, was born January 1, 1796, and was reared in Pequea Town- ship. Upon arriving at man's estate, he was united in marriage with Catherine Breneman. As soon as he had acquired sufficient means, he became the owner of a good farm in Pequea Township, and for the rest of his life was active in its culti- vation. In time his resources increased until he became quite wealthy. Politically he was a sup- porter of the Democratic party, and, like his father before him. belonged to the old Mennonite Church. Ile and his wife were the parents of eleven chil- dren: John; Maria, who became the wife of Jacob Good; Barbara, Mrs. Harnish; Mamie, deceased;
one who died before receiving a name; Elizabeth, Mrs. Hoover; Christian, Henry, Elias, .Jacob and Abram.
Henry Good was born September 7. 1836, in Pe- quea Township, where he grew to manhood and was given good common-school advantages. In his boyhood he was trained to farm life by his fa- ther, and when sixteen years old commenced in earnest to make his own livelihood. From that time until the present, he has succeeded almost en- tirely by his own unassisted efforts, and owes it to his perseverance in whatever he has undertaken that he is now well-to-do. The farm on which he was born and now lives contains one hundred and eleven acres, and is under high cultivation. Year by year the owner has gathered rich harvests in return for his care and labor. In religion he is a Mennonite, belonging to the old congregation with which his ancestors have been identified for several generations. In politics he votes for Re- publican measures and candidates, and, like a true patriot, tries in every possible way to uphold the public good. For one term he served acceptably as Supervisor of the township, and also acted in the capacity of School Director for one term.
On the 31st of January, 1861, Mr. Good was married to Miss Susan Miller. The lady is the daughter of Martin Miller, was born in Martic Township March 4, 1810, and there passed her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Good have become the parents of two children. their names being respec- tively, Louisa and Henry M.
OL. WILLIAM R. GERIIART. A. M .. is one of the youngest men ever commis- sioned Colonel in the United States Army, and is a veteran of the late Civil War. Ile has an office at No. 31 North Duke Street, Lancaster, and is engaged as a patent solicitor, having a very sne- cessful business, which extends to other states. Ils professional career, as well as his war record, re- dounds greatly to his honor and credit. Ile is a
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man of extended information and is a very inter- esting conversationalist.
Colonel Gerhart' was born in Gettysburg, l'a., January 10, 1844, being a son of E. V. Gerhart, D. D., LL. D., President of the theologieal semi- nary in Lancaster. (See his sketch elsewhere in this volume.) The Colonel is the oldest child in his father's family and passed his boyhood princi- pally in this city. Ilere he acquired the main part of his education, and in 1859 entered the Fresh- man Class of Franklin and Marshall College, from which he graduated in 1863 with the degree of Bachelor of Art. Soon after his enlistment in the army his Alma Mater conferred upon him the de- gree of Master of Arts, and that year, on account of the war, there were no commencement exercises. In 1862 he was Lieutenant of the State Militia called out at the time of the battle of Antietam. In June, 1863, he was enlisted in Independent Bat- tery I, Pennsylvania Artillery, as First Sergeant, and later became Second Lieutenant. With his battery he went to Philadelphia and thence to Harper's Ferry. In the spring of 1864 he was commissioned Major of the One Hundred and Twenty-first United States colored troops. Going to Kentucky, he served in that state, and later was transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth United States Colored Infantry, of which he later beeame Colonel, and from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., marched with his regiment across the plains to New Mexico, taking the old Santa Fe trail through that state and Colorado as far as El Paso, Tex. This was a difficult and hazardous march of some thirteen hundred miles through a hostile country, all the Indians being on the war path, and con- sumed about three months. The marel was ac- complished successfully without the loss of animals or materials. The regiment remained in New Mexico about a year and a-half, protecting the set- tlements against hostile Indians until 1867, and re- turned in December of that year. They had several skirmishes with the Indians at Ft. Craig and other points, and after being mustered out at Ft. Leaven- worth, returned to their respective homes.
Colonel Gerhart returned to Lancaster and be- came City Engineer or Regulator, occupying that position for four years and a-half. In 1876 he
opened his office as solicitor of patents, and has succeeded in becoming widely known and has all the business he can well look after. Fraternally he is a Grand Army man, being a member of George II. Thomas Post No. 84, and is Past Com- mander of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. In polities he is a stanch Republican. The wife of the Colonel. Miss Ella Carpenter, whom he married in this city in 1882, is a native of the place, and a daughter of the late William Carpenter, who was a prominent man, having held the office of protho- notary.
M ARTIN W. GROFF. Lancaster County is justly proud of her native born citizens. who are honorably bearing their share in sustaining her interests and in extending her wealth. Among these is the subject of this bio- graphieal review, who is engaged in farming in Manheim Township, and is one of its most pro- gressive and enlightened farmers. His estate, which comprises one hundred and thirty-one broad acres, is placed under substantial improvement. The fields are well tilled, and a neat set of farm build- ings adorn the place.
Our subject was born in Lampeter Township, this county, March 12, 1823, to David and Eliza- beth ( Whitwer) Groff. The family is of German descent, and the grandfather, who also bore the name of David, was a native of Lancaster County, and a farmer in East Lampeter Township. He was successful in his chosen calling, being the owner of an estate numbering two hundred well improved aeres. In politics he was a Whig, and a member of the Mennonite Church.
David Groff, Jr., was also a native of the above township, and being thoroughly trained to farm pursuits by his honored father, adopted that oceu- pation as his life work. Ile lived to be thirty-six years of age, and died in 1825. By his union with Miss Whitwer, there were born five children: Ann, Benjamin, David, Elizabeth and Martin W.
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The wife and mother followed her husband to the land beyond a year later, at the age of thirty-six years.
Our subject was quite young at the death of his parents, and was reared to manhood in the home of his older brother. Benjamin. He was the recip- ient of a common-school education, and has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits all his life. He has been successful, having accumulated a goodly amount of land, and is in the enjoyment of a com- fortable competence. In religion he is a member in good standing of the Mennonite Church. In 1853 he married Miss Elizabeth Buckwalter. by whom he has become the father of the following named three children: Salome B., Clayton B. and Mary, the wife of Henry Landis.
1 ACOB L. MOWERY, M. D., is a very success- ful physician, who is now located at Letort. Ile received good medical preparations for his duties in after years, and has made the best of his opportunities with the result that he is to- day recognized as one of the leading physicians of the county. Ile was born June 23, 1855, in West Lampeter Township, being a son of Jacob and Emma (Lefever) Mowery, and passed his boyhood days on his father's farm in Strasburg Township.
The Mowery family located in Lancaster County in the early days of its history. one of the early representatives being David, the great-grandfather of the Doctor, who it is believed settled near New Providence or Quarryville. On the maternal side it is known that three brothers came from France, set- tling in West Lampeter Township, where one made his permanent home, while another went to Phila- delphia, and the third also remained in this locality. The descendants of the brother Isaac have been for four generations farmers in West Lampeter Township. Isaac Lefever was a son of a Revolu- tionary hero. Philip, one of his seven children. is the grandfather of the Doctor, and his death oc- curred in August, 1810, at the age of seventy-three
years. He was a Whig, like all the others of the family, and was a member of the Mennonite Church, though his ancestors were Lutherans. Emma Le- fever was a child of her father's first marriage, and her mother, Catherine, died in 1812, at the age of thirty-seven years. Her father then married a sister of his first wife and to them were born two children, the mother's death occurring in 1853. Mrs. Emma Mowery, who is still living, is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Jacob Mowery. Sr., was born September 24, 1822. in Strasburg Township, where he spent all his life with the exception of two years. He was a suc- cessful agriculturist and continued to carry on his farm until his death. September 24. 1858, when he was only twenty-nine years of age. He was a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was politically a Whig. October 2, 1850, oc- curred his marriage, and of his union four chil- dren were born: Abram, a farmer residing in Stras- burg Township; Frank, who died in infancy; Jacob L., Jr., and Benjamin M., who operates a farm in West Lampeter Township.
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