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 24
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
229
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Germany, Mr. Schaefer was born in Massan, Sep- temiber 25, 1837, being a son of Henry Schaefer. likewise a native of the Fatherland, who followed the trade of a cabinet-maker. On removing to the United States he located in this eity, in 1869. and continued to make his home here until his death, in 1873, when he had attained the age of seventy-five years. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church and came from a long lived family, his father having passed away when in his eighty-sixth year.
The mother of William Schaefer, who was mar- ried in Germany, was a native of that land and bore the maiden name of Margaret Winkle. By her marriage she became the mother of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, namely: Chris- tian, Charles, William and Jacob (deceased): Ilen- rietta, Mrs. Goodecker, and Catherine, Mrs. Schlaush. Mrs. Henry Schaefer is still living, at the extreme old age of ninety-two years.
William Schaefer, of this sketch, received a good education in his native language, but was obliged to leave his studies when fourteen years of age in order to obtain a livelihood. For some time he worked at various pursuits, steadily laying aside a certain sum, for he was determined to come to the United States, believing that he would have better opportunities for the acquisition of a fortune in this country. When he found himself able to carry out his plans he left his native land in a sailing-vessel, and on his arrival in New York City pursued his westward journey, landing in Lancaster in 1865. Ile soon opened a grocery in the central portion of the city and year by year has become more and more prosperous.
In 1868 Mr. Schaefer was united in marriage with Miss Annie Marie Gunzenhouser, and seven children have been born of their union, four of whom are living, as follows: William, photog- rapher, in Lancaster; Anna, Henry and Mary.
Socially Mr. Schaefer is a member of the Red Jacket Lodge No. 144, Order of Red Men, and be- longs to Lodge No. 165, K. of P. Religiously he follows the teachings of his childhood, belonging to the Trinity Lutheran Church of this place. Politically he is a Democrat and interested in the success of his party. lle is an example of the self-
made men of this country, who have started in life with nothing but a determination to succeed. Ile has risen step by step to a position of affluence and influence m the community, owing to the ex- ercise of industrious and persevering qualities. He has a host of warm friends and acquaintances in this place who hold him in the highest respect.
BRAM B. SNAVELY, a retired and well- to-do citizen, is still living on his home- stead in Pequea Township, Lancaster Coun- ty, but has relegated the care of the same to others. In former years he has frequently been called upon by his fellow-citizens to serve in publie positions of trust and honor, and in each instance has so met the requirements of the situation that he has won only commendation from those concerned.
The father of our subjeet bore the same Chris- tian name and was born in Conestoga, now Pequea Township. Ile was nearly all of his life a farmer and was also a minister in the new Mennomte Church, of which he was a member for years. On arriving at man's estate he married Elizabeth Buckwalter, by whom she had six children, two sons and four daughters, as follows: Annie, Mrs. Weber; Benjamin: Elizabeth, Mrs. Mylin; Abram B., of this article; Martha, deceased, and Fannie.
The birth of Abram B. Snavely, Jr .. occurred in December, 1823, near Wheatland Mills, in Lampe- ter Township. Ilis education was limited to such as he might obtain in the common schools of this township, which he attended a portion of the year until he was twenty years of age. Up to this time he had worked on the farm under his father's in- struction and thus became familiar with all depart- ments pertaining thereto. Ile continued to reside under the parental roof until 1866, when he purchased the farm which was the scene of his operations during the remainder of his active life. This property is well cultivated and very desirable. There are good buildings, barns, ete., upon the
230
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
farm, and the fortunate possessor of the place has derived a good income from his general farming and stock-raising for over forty years.
In December, 1856. Mr. Snavely was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Roherer, and to them were born two children, sons, the eldest of whom, Roherer, was named in honor of Mrs. Snavely's family, and the younger was christened Stoner. Mrs. Snavely was born in this county and here grew to womanhood and received her educa- tion. She has been a faithful companion and help- mate to her husband in the acquisition of his property and is still living on the old homestead.
In polities Mr. Snavely is a very loyal Repub- lican, and on four different occasions has been sent as a delegate to county conventions of the party. He has been very active in political affairs and for three terms served as Judge of Elections, and for a like number of terms was Inspector of Elections. For one term he served in the capacity of School Director and has been Township Assessor for three terms. In these varied positions he has been faithful and honorable, and his reputation as a publie man has been above reproach.
ACOB L. HESS. For over sixty years this worthy old settler has been numbered among the progressive citizens of Pequea Town- ship, Lancaster County, his entire life having been passed on the old homestead which is now in his possession. This farm was formerly owned by other generations of the Iless family and has come down in direct descent. The paternal grandfather, Michael Iless, was born and reared on this farm, and with his son, our subject's father, at one time was extensively interested in the manufacture of plows. During his last years he returned to agri- cultural pursuits, which formed his main life occu- pation. Ile was a member of the German Baptist Church and frequently preached in that denomi- nation. lle married Maria Shock, and to them
were born four sons and two daughters, namely: Jacob, John, Abram, Michael, Barbara ( Mrs. Zook) and Veronica.
Jacob Hess, the father of our subject, was born in Conestoga, now Pequea Township. and as pre- viously mentioned, was for some years a plow manufacturer. lle was a practical farmer and as such was often consulted by his friends and neigh- bors on questions relating to agriculture. Polit- ically he was a Federalist and subsequently es- poused the cause of the Whigs. For one term he served as Supervisor of this township and bore an enviable reputation in the community for his qual- ities of industry, sobriety and high sense of honor in business affairs. Religiously he is a member of the German Baptist Church as was his father. and is greatly interested in the work of the denomination. By his marriage with Elizabeth Lichty, six chil- dren were born, as follows: Barbara, Maria, Susan, Fannie, Jacob L. and Michael, who died in child- hood. The eldest daughter was twice married, first to Samuel Reiff, and after his death to Conrad Seigler.
The subject of this article was born March 5, 1827, on his father's farm, in Pequea Township, which property is now owned and carried on by him. llis education was obtained in the district schools of the township, which he attended more or less regularly until reaching his eighteenth year. From his boyhood his practical and industrious father trained him for agricultural pursuits and in such branches as would be of use to him in after years. The farm, which is under fine cultivation. has good buildings and improvements upon it and comprises within its boundaries some one hundred and six acres. Everything about the place is kept up in a thrifty and business like manner, showing the constant attention and supervision of the care- ful owner. January 3, 1853, Mr. Hess was mar- ried to Miss Mary Herr, daughter of one of the worthy old settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have had a family of ten children. all but three of whom are living. Their names in the order of birth are as follows: Lizzie, Martin, Barbara, Henry, Martha, Anna, Jacob L., Mary, Fannie and Snie. Lizzie, Martha and Anna have been called to the better land and the other members of the family
231
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
are numbered among the most excellent citizens of the various communities in which they make their home, as their parents reared them to lives of usefulness and industry. A very active worker in the Republican party. Mr. Hess has always been greatly interested since its organization in its prosperity and has lent his influence to that end. As one who is known to be on the side of educa- tion and advancement, he has quite frequently been elected to serve as School Director and as such has spared no pains in the discharge of his du- ties. In his religious belief he is, like his ancestors, a member of the German Baptist Church.
D R. GEORGE W. HULL, PH. D., A. M., is one of the leading instructors in the insti- tutes held in the eastern and central part of Pennsylvania, and at present is a member of the faculty of the Millersville Normal School. For the past few years he has devoted much of his time to lecturing and work in the ministry and has been very successful along these lines.
The ancestors of Dr. Hull on the paternal side were German, and on the maternal side were French. The original spelling of the name was Holl, and a part of the branch of the family in this county have changed it to its present style. The Professor's grandfather, John Hull, was a car- penter by trade, and resided most of his life near Chester County, in Lancaster. His death occurred in Strasburg, where he had lived for some time previous. Religiously he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He and his wife became the parents of seven sons: John, Adam, Joseph, George, Levi, Henry and David. George, our subject's father, was born in 1812 and also learned the carpenter's trade. He worked at his calling during the most of his mature life at Strasburg. He was an Odd Fellow; in politics he was first a
Whig and later a Republican. To himself and wife, formerly Sidney Pelen, five sons and five daugh- ters were born, Mary, Emma, Elizabeth and Harry, who died in childhood; Letitia, Mrs. Iloak, of Sterl- ing, Ill .; John F., whose home is in Strasburg; Susan, Mrs. Frew, of Paradise Township, this coun- ty; Sidney, Mrs. Frazier; George, of Sterling, Ill., and Cornelius, of Strasburg. The mother of this family is still living.
The birth of Dr. Hull occurred September 16, 1852, at Strasburg. He attended the public and high schools of that place, graduating from the latter at the age of eighteen years. In 1871 heen- tered the elementary class of the Millersville Nor- mal School, from which he graduated in 1874, and a year later from the scientific course. On ac- count of bis exceptional ability he was at once chosen to be Assistant Professor of mathematics. Ile was educated in the school of Dr. Ed Brooks, author of Brooks' series of mathematics, and in- herited from his maternal grandfather, Chaney Pelen, his talent in this direction. With the ex- ception of the year 1882, when Dr. Hull was Prin- cipal of the schools of Iluntingdon. Pa., he has been connected with the Millersville Normal School as a member of the faculty since 1875. For the past eleven years he has been First Professor of mathe- maties and for seven years has lectured before county institutes on mathematics and general edu- cational subjects, having more demands upon his time than he can possibly fill. In 1885 he took the post-graduate courses in the University of Illi- nois, Bloomington, Ill., receiving the degrees of A. M. and Ph. D., and then took the regular lines of study prescribed by the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1884 was ordained a minister of the denomination by Bishop Warren, of the Quaker City. Thongh he has never taken a regular charge, he has done con- siderable preaching and is an influential member of the denomination. He has strong convictions on the subject of temperance and has frequently made this the theme of his lectures. Dr. Hull is now engaged in editing a series of mathematics for one of the leading publishing houses in Phila- delphia.
August 4, 1880, Dr. Hull married Miss Anna,
232
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
only daughter of Thomas Hambleton, of Bucks County, Pa., and they have five children: Anna May, Arthur H .. Horace M .. George R. and Ruth S. Ile is a stanch supporter of the Republican party.
EORGE RUSS is one of the worthy Ger- man-American citizens who have been aet. ively identified with the upbuilding and development of Lancaster. He lent his services to the defense of the Stars and Stripes when he had been under their protection some six years only. The birth of Mr. Russ occurred February 8. 1837. in Wurtemberg, he being a son of Chris- tian and Ehzabeth (Seegar) Russ, and he was the only member of the family who ever left the Fa- therland to come to this favored land.
It was in 1856 that Mr. Russ left his ancestral home and embarked in a sailing-vessel bound for the United States. On his arrival he settled at Lititz, Lancaster County, where he remained for three years, and in 1860 came to this place, where he worked at his trade until the breaking out of the Civil War. On the 14th of July, 1862, he donned the blue, becoming a member of the Twen- tieth Regiment Ohio Battery, and was attached to MeCork's Company. Afterwards he joined Gen- eral Sherman's Army and took part in the follow- ing celebrated battles and numerous other engage- ments: Liberty Gap, Chickamauga and Cumber- land Mountain. He served faithfully and valiant- ly, being ever found at the post of duty, and was always to be relied upon by his superior officers. At the expiration of his three years' term of en- listment he was mustered out at the close of the war. July 14, 1865. at Cleveland, Ohio.
On his return from southern battlefields. Mr. Rus- worked at his trade as a blacksmith and horse- shoer in this city, where he has remained ever since. By the exercise of industry, economy and striet attention to business. he has succeeded in accumulating considerable means, and what is quite
as important has built up a reputation for ability, integrity and honorable dealings which might well be envied by any one.
March 20, 1866, George Russ was united in marriage with Caroline Kling, and to them were born one son and four daughters. The only son, Christian, died at the age of eleven months, and Mary, the eldest daughter, is also now deceased. The younger members of the family, Carrie, Katie B. and Lillie, are at home. They have been given good educational privileges and are cultured and intelligent young ladies. The family have many friends in this city who hold them in high esteem, and it is a great pleasure to them to throw wide the doors of their hospitable home for the enter- tainment of their acquaintances.
H ARRY LIGHTNER TROUT has a good business at No. 25 Center Square. Lancas- ter, where he does all kinds of book-bind- ing and similar work, and has the largest trade in the city in this direction. employment being afford- ed to twenty-two hands. Ile is one of the native sons of this city, where he received his education and was reared to manhood, and with the excep- tion of about three years has passed his entire life in this place, being identified with everything re- lating to its upbuilding and progress.
The parents of II. L. Trout were Adam and Sa- lome (Lefever) Trout. formerly respected citizens of this locality. Our subject was born October 28, 1853, and is a brother of F. B. Trout, who is also engaged in business in this city. He received an excellent education in the grammar and high schools of Lancaster, completing his studies in 1869. when fifteen years of age. In 1870 he went to Philadelphia, where for three years he was em- ployed in the queensware business, but on the ex- piration of that time he returned to Lancaster. and for the succeeding four years devoted his energies to learning the trade of book-binding, serving an
233
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
apprenticeship. I'pon the completion of his trade, or shortly afterward, he started in business for himself at his present location and has been very successful in his enterprise, receiving the work of the various pubhshers in this and neighboring cities, and also doing work for the general trade.
A very active worker in the Republican party, Mr. Trout has been called upon to serve as a mem- ber of the Common Council, and for the past six years has served on important committees, bemg at the present time Chairman of the Committee on llighways, and was elected from the Fifth Ward. Socially he is a Mason, belonging to Lamberton Lodge No. 476, F. & A. M.
On the 2d of September, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Trout and Miss Sarah E., a daughter of Joseph Y. Colby, a well known citizen of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Trout have a dangh- ter, Maude C. They are members of the Presby- terian Church of this place, in which they are aet- ive workers. They number many warm friends both in church and social circles, and are a worthy and hospitable young couple.
J AMES S. SYMINGTON is an enterprising and progressive citizen of Binkley's Bridge, where he is senior member of the firm of James S. Symington & Co., manufacturers of all kinds of manilla, envelope and drawing paper. Ile has been engaged in this business in the above place since 1876, having that year purchased the plant of the Eden Paper Company.
Our subject is the son of Walter and JJennette (Paiden) Symington, and was born in Berwick- shire, Scotland, July 13, 1832. The father was likewise a native of that shire, where he had a good position as landscape gardener. He was a mason of high standing and belonged to the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he died when only twenty-seven years of age. His wife was the dangh- ter of John Paiden, a large manufacturer at Ed-
inburg. and was descended from an old and prom- inent family in Scotland. She was reared in the family of her uncle, John Lyle. of Dalkeath, Spot- land, who was publisher of the Lyle Bible. The parental family included two sons and one daugh- ter. The latter, Elien, became the wife of James Crawford, of Lasswade, Scotland; John came to America in 1861 and fought as a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting in the Hartford City Guards. He participated in all of the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, and when peace was declared located in Burnside, Conn., where he found employment in the paper mills. James S., of thissketch, was the eldest in the family.
James Symington, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Led Hills, Lanarkshire, Scot- land, where he was an extensive shepherd farmer. Hle was a brother of William Symington, who is known as the inventor of the first steamboat. The paternal grandfather of James S. Symington ted to Ireland after the battle of Bothwell and re- mained there until his death.
The original of this sketch was educated in his native land, and after the death of his father he learned the trade of a paper manufacturer under Alexander Annandle, of the Bolton Paper Works. In 1853 he emigrated to America, locating in Nor- wieh, Conn. lle worked at his trade for the fol- lowing five years, when, owing to his executive ability and thorough fitness for the position, he was made Superintendent of the plant at that place. In 1868 he came to this state and for eight years was Superintendent of the mills in Reading. Two years previously, however, in company with other gentlemen, he had purchased the mills of the Eden Paper Company at Binkley's Bridge, and when severing his connection with the firm in Reading lie removed to this place and has since given his entire time and attention to making a success of the enterprise. The mill was burned in 1883, but the firm immediately rebuilt, ereeting a larger and more substantial structure. They manufacture ma- nilla, envelope and drawing paper and turn out over five thousand pounds of paper per day. The plant contains the latest improvements in the way of machinery and is first-class in every particular. The company was organized with a capital stock
234
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of 850,000 and employment in the mill is given to twenty-four men and five girls.
Mr. Symington is authority on paper-making, and in 1882 was sent to Europe in the interest of the Phusey-Jones Steamship Company for the pur- pose of looking into the improved methods in the manufacture of paper, as well as matters of a me- chanical nature pertaining to the mechanical con- struction of all kinds of paper and machinery. Socially he belongs to Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., in Reading, and in politics is an ardent Republican.
March 1, 1856, James S. Symington and Miss Ann Dobson, of Lancashire. England, were united in marriage and to them were born four children: Walter; Martha, Mrs. John Pollard, now deceased: James, and Jeanette, the wife of Daniel Kagill. Mrs. Symington departed this life in 1866 and two years later our subject married Miss Eliza Arnold, of Burnside, Conn. By this union there have also been born four children, as follows: Harriet, the wife of llenry Middfeit; Charles, William and Myra.
-
-
ILLIAM W. TRIPPLE, a general mer- chant at Safe Harbor, for thirteen years was a member of the firm of Tripple & Warfel, succeeding George A. Tripple, and be- ing in partnership with Elias Warfel. He has been a resident of Safe Harbor sinee 1856. and during this long period has been actively interested in all publie movements pertaining to the general wel- fare. Ile is a son of John and Hannah (Cox) Tripple, his birth having occurred November 11, 1836, at New Holland. Earl Township, and he re- ceived his early education in the common schools of Churchtown, being obliged to leave his studies when sixteen years of age to work on a farm m order to obtain his livelihood.
John Tripple, the father of William W., passed the early years of his life in Lancaster and learned the trade of a hatter, which he successfully followed for a number of years at Lancaster. Subsequently
he removed to New Holland, which was his home for several years, and passed his last days at Churchtown. In politics he was a Democrat and at one time was Township Assessor. Ile was an active member of the Episcopal Church at Church- town and was elected a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, but died before he had been initiated. llis death occurred May 9, 1851, while he was still in the prime of life, being only forty-four years of age at the time. Ihs wife sur- vived him for many years, departing this life when seventy-nine years old. She became the mother of the following children. who grew to maturity. and all but three of them are still living. In order of birth they are: Samuel Z., deceased; Jolin .J., a resi- ident of Safe Harbor; William W .; Mary C., de- ceased wife of Isaac Mundorf; Caroline, Mrs. A. J. Hudson, of Safe Harbor; Charles D .; Sarah A., wife of Edward Lincoln. of Churchtown; George A., a grocer in Lancaster, and Benjamin F., of Phil- adelphia.
In 1856 Mr. Tripple of this sketch came to this city and learned the business of heater in the roll- ing mill, in which he was an employe until the mill was closed. For four years he then followed his trade at Buffalo, N. Y., but in 1866 returned to this place, and for thirteen years succeeding oper- ated a general store, doing a good business, at the end of that time buying out his partner. lle has been successful in his investments and for a num- ber of years has engaged in dealing and packing leaf tobacco for the trade. In his social relations he holds membership with the C. M. Howell Lodge No. 496, F. & A. M., of Safe Harbor, in which he is Past Master, and has been Secretary for the past eleven years. Ile has been very active in Masonic circles and also in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs of Conestoga Lodge No. 334, and for a long time represented it in the Grand Lodge.
September 21. 1857, Mr. Tripple married Eliza- beth Lewis, whose father, David Lewis, is a resi- dent of Colerain Township, this county. Our sub- ject and his wife have had nine children, Mary C., wife of J. B. Doty, now of York City, Neb., where he is engaged in teaching in the public schools; llannah, wife of John Synser, of this coun-
235
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ty, and a carpenter by trade; Charles, who died at the age of one year; George II., a very intelligent young man, who died in his twenty-third year by falling down the stairs during a fainting fit; Lewis A .; Alice and Annie, who died in childhood; John D., a general confectioner, baker and grocer in York City, Neb., and Leon C., who assists his fa- ther in business. Professor Doty, the husband of the eldest daughter, is a fine scholar, a lecturer and a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is a native of Luzerne County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Tripple also reared an adopted son, William Wirt, giving him a good education, two years having been spent in York City College of Nebraska, and he is now holding a clerkship in that place.
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.