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 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
September 20, 1863, our subject married Bar- bara, daughter of Henry Fishel, a resident of Washington Borough. To our subject and his worthy wife were born seven children. Lilly; Han- nah, wife of Jonas Henry, who works for his father- in-law; Christian, Henry, Eli, Mary and Alice. The grandfather of Mrs. Hoffstadt was a farmer of Manor Township, and his family comprised the following children, John, Fred, George, Henry, Sallie (Mrs. Ent), Lizzie (Mis. Dritt), and Catlı- erine (Mrs. Randall). Ilenry Fishel married Miss
221
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mary Fry, by whom he had eleven children, Eliz- abeth, Daniel, Barbara, Adam, Ann M. Caroline (who died when quite young), Abram and Ilenry (twins). Amanda ( Mrs. Shopf), Kate (Mrs. Dritt), and Mary, wife of George Sheltz.
A BRAHAM C. STAUFFER, one of the rep- resentative citizens of Manheim Town- ship, and a man of enterprise and influ- ence, is engaged in floricultural pursuits and also raises various kinds of vegetables for the city market. Ile has a good greenhouse on his place and makes a specialty of the cultivation of earna- tions and violets.
The original of this sketch is the son .of John and Elizabeth (Charles) Stauffer and was born in Manor Township, this county, April 6, 1844. The Stauffers in this vicinity are of German descent, and as far back as is known were all well-to-do farmers. John Stauffer was a native of West Ilemp- field Township, Lancaster County, and owned at one time a valuable estate, comprising two hun- dred broad and well cultivated acres. Ile was a member of the Dunkard Church, and was a firm believer in Democratic principles, politically.
Our subject was the youngest in a family of two sons and three daughters, named as follows: Jacob C .; Barbara, the deceased wife of Dr. Kendig, of Salunga; Esther, deceased; Elizabeth and Abraham C. The father departed this life in July, 1852, at the age of forty-six years; his good wife survived him many years, passing away in January, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were members of the Dunkard and Mennonite Churches respectively.
Abraham C. was reared on his father's farm and remained at home until reaching his twentieth year, during which time he received a good educa- tion in the district schools. Going to Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., he entered Eastman's Business College. where he took the full course, and was graduated
in 1864. Ile then returned to the farm which he owned in West llempfield Township, and after three years engaged in its cultivation, sold the tract and migrated to Ohio, making his home in the Buckeye State for six years, engaged in vari- ous business enterprises.
At the expiration of that time Mr. Stauffer re- turned home. and in 1877 moved upon his present place, which he purchased from his sister Esther. In 1886 he became the proprietor of twenty-five acres of land on the Petersburg Pike, just one mile from the city of Lancaster, where he follows gar- dening and where his greenhouses are located. He has every variety of small vegetables upon his place, and is making a decided success of this industry. Ile raises none but the best and consequently finds a ready market for his produce and a price above the average. Although his greenhouses are stocked with every form of plant life which can be grown in that section, he makes a specialty of cultivating carnations and violets.
Our subject is a true blue Republican in politics, and while living in Ohio served as a member of the School Board. November 1, 1864, he married Miss Ilettie R., daughter of Johan Leahman, a farmer of Manor Township, this county. To them were born five children, one of whom died in infancy; the others are, Ida May, who died at the age of thirteen years; John .J., a telegraph operator on the Pennsylvania Road, located at Kauffman: Charles and Annie E. Mrs. Stauffer is a member of the Mennonite Church. In every respect they are val- ued and most highly esteemed citizens, whom we are glad to represent in this volume.
EUBEN P. SWARR, engaged in the manu- facture of cigars in Landisville, is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Perfer) Swair, and was born in East Hempfield Township. September 12. 1855. The father died January 25, 1887, when sixty-seven years of age. Ilis good wife is still living, and makes her home in East Petersburg.
Many years ago three brothers, ancestors of our subject, emigrated from Switzerland, bound for the
222
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
New World, and on arriving here located west of the city of Lancaster on a tract of land which they farmed. John Swarr, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1734, and died in 1821. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Veron- ica Shirk, who died in 1779. By her he became the father of the following-named children: John, Christian, Peter, Veronica and Ann. Ilis second wife, who bore the maiden name of Magdalene Nissby, was born November 14, 1762, and died in 1852. She became the mother of Martin, grand- father of our subject, who was born October 25, 1788, and died February 5, 1847.
Martin Swarr, the grandfather, was also a farmer in this township, in which pursuit he was success- ful, and belonged to the Mennonite Church. Ile first married Miss Anna Heistand, who bore him five children, of whom three died when young. The only sister of Jolin, the father of our subject, who lived was Martha, who married Jacob Basler, and on his death became the wife of John Shenck. The lady who became the second wife of Martin Swarr was Elizabeth Milling, and to them was granted a family of seven children, Annie, David, Martin, Jacob, Amos, Susan and Elizabeth.
The father of our subject, John Swarr, was a na- tive of East Hempfield Townslup, and in follow- ing farm pursuits was very prosperous, accumu- lating three hundred and fifty acres. He was an active member of the Mennonite Church, and in polities voted with the Republican party after its organization. He was greatly interested in the cause of education in his neighborhood, and for many years served as a member of the School Board. His wife was the daughter of John Peifer, of Manheim Township, and to them were born eight sons and two daughters, of whom three died in infancy. They were, Phares, Martin, Hiram, John, Meno, Reuben and Lizzie Ann.
Reuben P. Swarr received his education in the public schools and the Millersville State Normal. When leaving school he engaged for a short time as clerk in Manheim, after which he returned to the old homestead and resided there for the fol- lowing three years. Then coming to Landisville, he began the manufacture of eigars, and now oc- cupies a building two and one-half stories in
height, and 30x50 feet in size. He does 825,000 worth of business annually. and gives employment to from thirty to forty hands. lle manufactures several special brands of eigars, and is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business.
December 23, 1880, R. P. Swarr and Miss Annie S., daughter of Jacob Risser, of Rapho Township, this county, were united in marriage. Their three children are respectively Mabel, born in 1883, J. Reuben in 1885, and Annie in 1887. Mrs. Swarr departed this life December 10, 1887. She was greatly beloved by those who knew her, and her death was a severe blow to her husband and fam- ily. In his political relations our subject is a stanch Republican, and is one of the most public spirited citizens of Landisville, where he has many warm friends.
e
I SAAC DILLER'S SONS. This firm of wholesale and retail dealers in hardware at Lancaster is composed of William F. and Charles F. Diller. This is one of the most successful business concerns of the eity and is situated at No. 7 East King Street, in a central location. They manufacture tinware, roofing and plumbing material of all kinds, and sell a general line of hardware, inelud- ing stoves, iron and steel, and blacksmith supplies. The business occupies four floors and they have additional warehouses 35x100 feet. Several men are employed as traveling salesmen on the road. They handle powder, which they keep in maga- zines out of the limits of the city. In 1893 they established the Lancaster Peerless Emery Wheel Company on North Water Street, and have re- cently increased their capacity threefold. They employ three men on the road in that line con- stantly, and are conducting a rapidly increasing business. This fact is in part explained by the fact that their wheel is the only one made by a process which includes the burning to a white heat, which destroys all impurities, and further that each wheel is subjected to hydraulic pressure, which makes it
223
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
as superior to another wheel as a pressed briek to an ordinary one.
Isaac Diller, the senior member of this firm, was born in Lancaster February 5, 1823, and is a di- rect deseendant of Casper Diller, a French Hugue- not, and the progenitor of the family in Lancaster County. There are documents in the possession of the family dating back to Michael Dilier (1543). who was a court preacher and also a distinguished literary man, some of his works being still extant. Casper Diller came to America with his wife, Bar- bara, whom he had married in England, aceom- panied by their two children, and in 1739 settled in the locality of New Holland, on Mill Creek. where he engaged in agriculture, becoming a very successful man.
Many members of the family have been promi- nently identified with the medical and legal pro- fessions and the ministry; some gained distinction in the Revolutionary War and in subsequent strug- gles for the rights of American citizens in the United States. Casper Diller had three sons, Philip Adam, 11. Martin and Casper, Jr. He also had seven daughters. Phihp Adam was born near Heidelberg, Germany, and came to Lancaster with his parents. lle married Elizabeth, daughter of Leonard EHmaker, who came from Germany and settled in Earl Township in 1726. One of their children was Leonard, the grandfather of Isaac; his father was George A., who resided in Laneaster, where he was in business the most of his life. One of his brothers was the proprietor of Dillerville, and for two terms, beginning in 1835, was Adjutant- General of Pennsylvania, the second highest office in the state at that period. He was also Sheriff of Lancaster County when it embraced much more territory than at present. During the Mexican War he raised a company for service and was out for a short time. Ile was a bold and courageons man and a splendid horseman.
Isaac Diller was reared at Lancaster and started out in life as a boy in the mercantile business. His first employment was that of a clerk in a grocery store, and from 1836 to 1843 he was a clerk in the dry-goods store of George Fahenstock. He spent five years in the store of John M. Lane and gained a reputation for integrity, besides acquiring val-
uable knowledge of the business. In 1848 he en- tered the hardware store of Steinman as book- keeper, and afterward became a valuable salesman. From 1860 to 1872 he was a partner in the firm which was known as George M. Stemman & Co. At the last named date he retired from the firm, but continued his business relations with it until 1877, when he purchased the large hardware estah- lishment on East King Street, which business he successfully conducted, assisted by his sons. He was a Vestryman of St. James' Episcopal Church until he helped to organize St. John's Free Church in 1853. of which he was a ebarter member. Ile was Chairman of the building committee and Senior Warden from 1854, a compliment bestowed upon him by each succeeding reetor. Ile always mani- fested a deep interest in the affairs of the church. In the renovation of the property in 1871 he as- sumed three-fifths of the expenses ineurred, be- sides the sum subseribed, and as the records show, made "a generous donation of the lot adjoining."
In 1819 Mr. Diller was united in marriage with Miss Anna M., daughter of Jacob Frey and grand- daughter of Jacob Frey, one of the early merchants of Lancaster, who was one of the reception com- mittee of five to receive and entertain Gen. George Washington when he visited Lancaster. July 4, 1789, the only recorded time that the father of our country ever visited the place. Mrs. Diller survives, with the following children: William F., Charles B., Lydia and Anna M. The sad fate of the eldest son, Rev. Alonzo P. Diller, is remem- bered by all. Together with his family he met death in the terrible Johnstown flood. Ile was a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, as well as of the General Theologieal Seminary of New York, and was a prominent min- ister in the Episcopal Church. Samuel B. Diller, the youngest son, is the manager for his family of the controlling interest which they own in a large tract of coal and timber land in West Virginia. and is also President and builder of the Roaring Creek & Charleston Railroad, twenty miles long, which runs through the above property.
Mr. Diller never songht or filled any public of- fice, and whatever he did was without ostentation. Ile distributed his charities in a quiet way and
224
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
many such acts were never known even to his family. A refined gentleman, of simple habits, possessing a pure mind and a good heart, he was also a progressive citizen, ever ready and willing to assist in a good cause. Socially he was an hon- ored member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M. Hle died Novem- ber 28, 1892, after a brief illness of two weeks. Ilis last visit outside of his house was Sunday morn- ing two weeks prior to his death, when he attended services at St. John's Episcopal Church and wit- nessed the baptism of his youngest grandson. Ile became afflicted with a stroke of paralysis and this progressed gradually until it affected his entire body, finally resulting in his death, thus ending a long, eventful and well spent eareer.
WILLIAM P. WIRTH occupies the very responsible position of Chief Engineer of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Lancaster and has been longer in the employ of this concern than any other man. He is a line mechanic and well versed in his calling, and by the faithful manner in which he discharges all of the duties devolving upon him has won the entire esteem and confidence of his superiors. In manner being very genial and pleasant to all, he has won many warm friends and is very popular among those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Though a native of Baltimore, where his birth oc- curred June 12, 1819, he was reared in this city and with its welfare has been identified nearly all his life.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Will- iam Wirth, was born in lesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and was a practical blacksmith, which vocation he followed during his entire active life. The father, Peter, a native of the same locality, came to Amer- ica in his boyhood, and being a practical mechanic and blacksmith, engaged in work at his trade in |
Baltimore. About 1856 he was an employe of the Melcher Rifle Works, live miles from that city, continuing with them until he came to Lancaster. At one time he served in the Government employ on the gunboat "Princeton," and his death oc- curred when he was in his sixty-fifth year. Both he and his wife were active workers in the Re- formed Church, and the latter is still living, her home being in Lancaster. In her girlhood she bore the name of Hannah Wendt, and her birth occurred in Hanover, Germany.
William P. Wirth is one of two sons and a daughter who grew to maturity, and with his brothers and sisters attended the public schools of this city. With his father he was for a time em- ployed in the Henry E. Lemon Rifle Works, work- ing for that firm about seven years and becoming engineer. Mr. Wirth then started at No. 527 North Christian Street, in partnership with his father in the manufacture of gun locks, tools, etc., and con- tinned at that point for three or four years. In 1876 he went to Philadelphia to accept the posi- tion of hotel engineer in the St. Cloud Hotel and soon was promoted to be chief engineer.
In 1878 Mr. Wirth returned to Lancaster, doing general engineering work until 1886, when he was offered the post of assistant engineer in the Edi- son Electric Illuminating Company, the plant of which had just been completed. Ile accepted this position and was of some assistance in putting the machinery in proper shape. The same year he was made chief engineer and under his advice the concern has been enlarged and many improve- ments made on the original plans. The city in- corporated this company, buying out the old United States Company and starting in with four engines of one hundred horse-power, which have been increased to those of the present with a ca- pacity of twelve hundred horse-power. The Elec- tric Company can furnish six thousand Edison lights with two thousand alternates, one hundred commercial lights and two hundred and fifty for streets. I'nder the supervision of our subject there are at the present time about nine men, and to every branch of the work he gives huis personal supervision.
In 1876 our subject was married in Philadel-
J
HENRY BOMBERGER.
227
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
phia to Miss Margaret A. Brubaker, a native of Manheim Township and a daughter of Michael Brubaker, who formerly operated a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wirth have a family of five children: Harry B., Irene M., Margaret E., Wilham C. and Clarence P. The parents hold membership with the First Reformed Church of this eity and are highly es- teemed by their many friends and acquaintances. Our subjeet belongs to the Order of Red Men and politically votes with the Democratic party.
H ENRY BOMBERGER, a brick manufac- turer of Lancaster. is one of its success- ful business men, his products finding a ready sale in this vieimty. In addition to his regular line of work he has invested in other en- terprises, and is quite extensively interested in building operations, owning and having erected about thirty houses and other buildings. Besides this he has put up a planing mill for general work and the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. His brick kilns and works are fitted out with mod- ern improvements in his line, and turn out a fine grade of work.
Mr. Bomberger was born in Rheinboyer. Lan- tereeht, Germany, June 25, 1845. Ilis father, Law- rence, a native of the same locality, was a carpen- ter and cooper by trade. May 12, 1846, he landed in Lancaster, after a voyage of forty-eight days on the briny deep in a sailing-vessel, in which he and his wife and two children had embarked at Bremen. For eighteen years he was actively en- gaged in working at his trade, after which he turned his attention to market gardening on Manor Street, which calling he followed for many years. He was born in 1811, and died in Lancaster, Octo- ber 1, 1893. Ilis wife, formerly Mary Ileitzemer, died in 1885. They were both members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the father was a Demoerat. Of their five children, Henry is next to the eldest.
Until attaining his twelfth year, our subject continued to reside under the parental roof in this
vicinity, and at this time commeneed working for neighboring families. Ile was only a lad of about thirteen when he commenced learning his father's trade of a cooper under his instruction. On be- coming master of the business, he started a shop of his own on Hazel and Loveland Streets, and succeeded very well at this occupation, employing about one dozen hands, and continuing in the trade for some twenty-seven years. Latterly he was located on Manor Street, and had turned his attention somewhat toward brickmaking. Finally he sold out his cooperage and beeame foreman for James Brangley, a briek manufacturer, working steadily for the succeeding five years. At the end of that time he engaged in putting up five frame houses on Fifth Street for himself, doing the work mainiy alone. Three of these places he has sold, and the other two he still owns.
In the fall of 1892 Mr. Bomberger purchased the brickyard formerly owned by Peter Zeigler. Ile now owns eleven and three-fourth acres of ground on Pearl and Second Streets. He has a brick machine and manufactures mainly by hand, employing two sets of men as molders. The clay used in this brick is of a fine quality, which stands the weather and is impervious to moisture. The engines and boilers used are of twenty-five and thirty-five horse-power, respectively; the kilns have a capacity of one hundred and twenty-six thousand brick apiece, there being two in number of the square shape. The sheds in use ean contain about one hundred and thirty-five thousand brick, and the drying place has a capacity of one hun- died and twenty thousand, five hundred and twenty. The works are run steadily during the summer season, when thirty-five hands are em- ployed. Mr. Bomberger still continues his build- ing operations, and has put up a planing mill 34x60 feet in dimensions, and still owns thirteen city residences. Four teams are constantly em- ployed to deliver the produets of his brick manu- factory and the trade of the concern is steadily in- creasing.
The home of our subjeet, a substantial and well built residence, is at No. 202 Pearl Street. Ile was married in the Vine Street Church of this city in 1867 to Miss Charlotte Willig, who was born in
7
228
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1865. Their union has been blessed with four children: Philip, who is a contractor in this city; Rosa; Harry, in business with his father; and William. In politics, Mr. Bomberger votes in favor of the prin- eiples advocated by the Democratic party. Ile is a man who merits the esteem of his fellow-citizens. by whom he is highly respected.
1
D AVID B. KAUFFMAN, of Manor Town- ship, is engaged in'a general blacksmith and wagon-making business, having been located at his present place for the past six years. Hle is a practical workman, who knows thoroughly every branch of his business and receives patron- age from far and near. He comes from one of the pioneer families of Lancaster County, his grand- father, John Kauffman, in his early life having lived in this township near Creswell, where he operated a good farm. Later he removed to Rohr- erstown, in this county, where his death occurred in 1863, at the age of sixty-six years, having been born in 1797. In politics he was a Republican, and religiously he was a member of the Old Men- nonite Church. By his wife, formerly a Miss Brernor, he had six children: Katie, who became the wife of James Hughes; Benjamin T., Lizzie, Mattie. Abram and Abner.
5º
Abner B. Kauffman, the father of our subject, was born in Manor Township and learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for seven years at Millersville, and then pursued his calling at Safe Harbor for a time. Afterward he was engaged at the butcher's trade until his death. lle mar- ried Mrs. Catharine (GreenwaH) Bowen, who had two children, Cyrus and Henry, by her marriage with Cyrus Bowen. To Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman were born ten children, JJohn, Lizzie, David B Benjamin F .. Amanda, Kate, Mattie, Amos G., Jennie and Abram. The father was a member of the United Brethren Church, and voted with the
Republican party. His death occurred at the age of sixty-two year-, in November, 1888, and his wife departed this life September 10, 1892, aged sixty-six years.
The birth of David B. occurred June 2. 1853, and his education was received in the public schools of Highville, which he attended more or less until seventeen years of age. After leaving school he worked on a farm in Manheim Town- ship until about twenty-two years of age, at which time he commenced serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in Safe Harbor and completed it at the end of two years. Later he worked with Benjamin K. Echelman, with whom he remained for eleven years. In 1888 he purchased his pres- ent place. which comprises five acres. Ile has made the most of its improvements, consisting of a new frame residence, a good shop, etc.
November 13, 1879, Mr. Kauffman married Bar- bara Dearster, of Creswell. Iler father, Frederick Dearster, follows the business of fence construction. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have become the parents of five children, Ada D., Blaine D., Elma D., Es- ther D. and Ralph D. They are members of the Evangelical Church and have many warm friends in this community. A true blue Republican, Mr. Kauffman is active in the ranks of his party, and at one time served as Judge of elections. Ile is doing well in his business venture, and as he turns out only the best of work he well merits the many customers who give him their constant patronage.
)ILLIAM SCHAEFER, an enterprising German-American of Lancaster, has been engaged in the grocery business in this eity since 1865. at No. 457 West King Street, and has built up an excellent reputation for the reliable standard and faney stock which he al- ways carries. He numbers among .his customers many of the oldest and best families of the place, some of whom have constantly placed their orders with him for the past thirty years. A native of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.