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 25
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Mr. Tripple is a member of the Safe Ilarbor Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected in an official capacity ever since joining it in 1858. In the Sunday-school and in all departments of church work he has ever been interested and efficient. Until the re-organization of the Conestoga Bank in Lancaster Mr. Tripple was one of its Directors, having been also one of its founders, but when the new officers were elected he tendered his resignation. He is a man of honor and uprightness, who has made a host of friends in the vicinity of his home.
P II. KELLER. A commercial institution which has gained an established reputa- tion among the residents of Lancaster is the Keystone Business College, of which Professor Keller is the Principal. It is conveniently situ- ated at No. 140 North Queen Street, over the Northern National Bank. Ilere instruction is given, both day and evening, in bookkeeping. shorthand and typewriting, penmanship, commer- cial arithmetic, correspondence, commercial law, grammar, orthography, capitalization, oflice prac- tice, ete. After completing the regular business
course, a student is thoroughly qualified for the satisfactory discharge of duties in a position of responsibility and trust.
The Keller family is of German origin, our sub- ject's great-grandfather having been the first of that name to emigrate to America. Grandfather Daniel Keller was a weaver of fancy fabrics, being thus engaged first at Ephrata, then in Manheim, and later in Lebanon County. Daniel Keller, Jr., our subject's father, was born at the last-named place, and there he still makes his home. Through his active years he was engaged as a contractor and builder, but now lives in retirement from bus- iness cares. llis wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Ileffley, died in 1877.
There were ten children in the family, all of whom are still living, our subject being the young- est son. Ile was born in Stricklerstown, Lebanon County, December 30, 1865, and in that village the years of boyhood and youth were uneventfully passed. When very young he was an expert in the use of tools, and in Lebanon County aided his fa- ther in carpentering. Later he was similarly em- ployed at Williamsport, and while in that city he took a commercial course, thus laying the founda- tion for his present broad education.
About 1887 our subject went to Georgia, and at Tallapoosa was employed at his trade, as fore- man and bookkeeper for his brother. Thence he went to Bluffton, Ala., where he also held the same position. Returning to Lebanon he sojourned there for ten months, after which he returned to the south and spent the next eighteen months, again holding the same position with his brother at Bluffton, Ala., thus by his travel gaining a broad and practical knowledge of business. In 1892 he took a special teacher's course at Lebanon Business College, from which he holds two di- plomas. Going to Harriman, Tenn., he opened a commercial college, which he conducted success- fully for some time. However, he afterward sold out to Professor Niver.
The Keystone Business College was established January 7, 1889, and was purchased by Professor Keller in May, 1893, since which time he has con- ducted it upon thoroughly business principles and with flattering success. In addition to other in-
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terests he is acting as district agent for type- writers, with headquarters in New York. In re- ligious belief he is a member of the Evangeheal Association. His political preferences are with the Republican party, to which he invariably gives his ballot.
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LDU'S BUCKWALTER BARR is engaged in dairy farming in Manor Township. He is the possessor of a good estate, which he- sides being devoted to general farming purposes, is used for raising large quantities of leaf tobacco. Mr. Barr was born January 19, 1858, in Pequea Township, this county, and is the son of Benjamin and Barbara ( Buckwalter) Barr.
The grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of Benjamin Barr, spent the greater part of his life in the above township, within whose bounds were located his two farms, one containing one hundred and thirteen and the other one hun- dred and fourteen acres. He was very successful in all his undertakings. and was recognized as one of the wealthiest agriculturists of the county. lle was shrewd in all business transactions, upright and honest with all those who had dealings with him, and consequently was greatly respected and esteemed by his fellow-men. In pohties he was a Republican, and was a member of the Mennonite Church. He married Miss Barbara Miller, and by her became the father of live children: Abram, John and Fannie, all deceased; Ehza and Benjamin M. The grandfather departed this life at the age of eighty-one years. while his good wife was seventy-eight at the time of her death.
The native place of the father of Aldus B. was also Pequea Township, where he secured his common school education, and was thoroughly trained in farm pursuits. When ready to begin life on his own account he secured a tract of land adjoining the old homestead, comprising one hundred and fourteen acres, which he operated until 1869. Three years later he purchased the estate now oc-
cupied by our subject, where he conducted agricul- tural operations with fair success. Benjamin Barr is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-four acres of good farming land in Martie Township, besides a tract of one hundred and fifty-four acres lying in West Hempfield Township, upon which he is residing at the present time. Ile is prominent in the political life of his community, and always votes with the Republican party.
The parental family included three children. of whom our subject was the second born. Elam, the eldest, died at the age of nineteen, and Benjamin is unmarried and resides at home. Al- dus B. Barr received his education in the distriet schools of his native township, and has made agri- culture his life work. Ile gives special attention to dairy farming, keeping on his place seventeen good milch cows. Ile also raises a line grade of leaf tobacco, for which he finds a ready market in the surrounding cities.
Aldus B. Barr and Miss Alice, daughter of Henry 11. Stehman, were married in 1872. Mrs. Barr's fa- ther is a farmer of Manor Township, where he also owns the Stehman flouring mills. The only child of onr subject and his wife is a son, Elwood B. In politics Mr. Barr is a Prohibitionist of the strongest type, and religiously belongs to the Uni- ted Brethren Church in Lancaster.
S QUIRE JACOB SPOO, a prominent poli- tician of Lancaster, is Justice of the Peace and is now serving as Alderman of the Eighth Ward, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Ilis office, which was built for the pur- pose, is at No. 314 West King Street, and he at- tends to all kinds of conveyancing, collecting, real estate business and civil practice. The ward which he represents is practically a German ward and his clients and constituents are mainly drawn from the worthy natives or descendants of the Father- land. Mr. Spoo, who is self educated, is equally
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con versant with the English and German languages and is a very intelligent and well informed man.
The father of our subject bore the Christian name of Mathias. Ile was born in Luxemburg, Germany, and reared in Alsace, where he learned the trade of porcelain maker. When twenty-four years of age he came to America, settling in this eity, where he married Eliza Kitch, a native of the place. For several years he worked at his trade in the pottery owned by Henry Gast. In 1861 he volunteered his services as a musician and was made leader of Band R. Afterwards he was trans- ferred to the Army of the West, being placed in the Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was killed at Camp Griffin in 1862, when only thirty-five years of age. He was reared in the faith of the Cath- olic Church, but his wife was a Lutheran. IIer fa- ther, Jacob Kiteh, who died in Lancaster, was of Swiss descent, members of the family having set- tled at a very early day in New Jersey. Mrs. Spoo, after the death of her husband, became the wife of Henry Butt, and is still a resident of Lan- caster. Frank, the only brother of our subject, is now a farmer in Warwick Township.
Until ten years old, Squire Spoo was reared in the city, attending the common school. Ile was born November 27, 1858, and was therefore only four years old at the time of his father's death. For that reason, and being the eldest of his moth- er's children, he was obliged to early assist in the family's support. From the age of ten to eighteen years he worked in a brick yard, after which he served an apprenticeship as a cigar maker for an unele, C. Scheid, for three years. After becoming familiar with the business he continued to work for his unele for three years more and then was employed at various places for several years. In February, 1892, he was elected Justice of the Peace by the Democrats, and in May was commissioned by Governor Pattison.
1
In 1881 Jacob Spoo was married to Miss Ida E. Kuhns, whose birth occurred in Lancaster, and whose father, Henry Kuhns, now deceased. was a harness manufacturer. Four children were born
1 to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Spoo: Frank; Mabel, who died at the age of seven years; Annie, and Harry, who died in infancy. The family resi-
dence is a pleasant one and is situated at No. 312 West King Street.
Socially Mr. Spoo belongs to the Sons of Amer- ica of Lancaster, being Vice-President of that order. For three years, or until he resigned, he held the position of Recording Secretary of Thad Stevens Council, O. U. A. M. For some six years he served as Deacon of St. Luke's Reformed Church, of which he is a member. Ile is also a member of the Daughters of Liberty.
II GALTER D. MADIGAN, one of the pro- prietors of the Lancaster News Com- pany, is justly entitled to space for a biographical notice in this connection. Ile was born in Lancaster, April 6, 1866. Ilis father, John Madigan. was born in Ireland, emigrated to Amer- ica, and settled in Lancaster, where he clerked in a store. Subsequently he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe business. He died in that city in May, 1866.
Our subject's mother, Elizabeth ( Denton) Madi- gan, was a native of Lancaster, and the daughter , of Mr. and Mrs. John Denton. Her father, who was a shoe manufacturer and dealer, came from England to this country, where he established his permanent home. After his death, his wife reared the family in Lancaster, where she still resides. Iler mother was a sister of John Wise, the cele- brated baloonist, whose last ascension took place from St. Louis and proved fatal, at least he was never heard of afterward.
Our subject is the youngest of a family of four children, three of whom are living. He was edu- eated in the public schools, and when ten years of age engaged in the news business, working for dif- ferent companies. When sixteen years of age, he , engaged in business for himself in his present place. In September, 1893, the business was en- larged and became known as the Lancaster News
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Company, of which he is principal owner. The location is No. 5 West King Street, where a full line of all kinds of newspapers, magazines and other literary matter are for sale. He is a member of the National Association of News- dealers, and has served on the committee on or- ganization. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.
OBERT J. HOUSTON, one of the active business factors of Lancaster, well known as President of the Helvetia Leather Com- pany and of the Houston Coal and Coke Com- pany. was born in Maghera, Londonderry County, Ireland, January 16, 1832. The family of which he is an honored representative was for many years identified with the history of Scotland, where they owned "Houston Castle," the history of which dates back to the twelfth century. About that time Sir Hugh de Padvinan, who was of French descent, engaged to fight for Malcolm IV., King of Scotland, and in compensation for his services was granted the lands of Kilpeter. Strathgrief, where he built a eastle. Ilis Scotch neighbors, unable to pronounce his French name, called his place "Ilughs-town," hence the name Houston. Two of his descendants emigrated to Ireland late in the seventeenth century and settled in County Lon- donderry. One of them, who bore the name of Robert, was granted three townships of land, and from this branch of the family is our subject de- seended.
The parents of our subject. David and Margaret (Niel) Houston, were married in Ireland March 17, 1831, and the following year emigrated to the United States, landing in August of 1832. The father, being the youngest of three sons, was there- fore disinherited by the English law of entail, and so sought a home in the New World. The voyage across the Atlantic, covering sixty-three days, was one of considerable peril, but at last they anchored in the harbor of Philadelphia. They immediately
took passage in a Conestoga wagon for Lancaster County, where his aunt, Mrs. Thomas Patterson, and cousin, John Houston, resided. In the spring of 1833 they commenced housekeeping near his aunt's home, but shortly afterward, through the solicitation of his brother llenry, he was indueed to move to Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he formed a partnership with John Harper in the boot and shoe business. The climate, however, was not congen- ial, fever and ague prevailing, and so he soon re- turned with his family to Lancaster County, reach- ing that place in 1838 with only fifty cents in his pocket, and five persons dependent upon him for support. Ile at onee began to work at his trade of a shoemaker, and being an industrious and skilled workman, he had a large trade, continuing in the business until 1846. Now advanced in years, he makes his home with his daughter in Chester County, Pa. The wife and mother died in 1883.
To David and Margaret Houston were born four children, all of whom are living. as follows: Robert .J., of this sketch; Dr. Joseph W., a practicing phy- sician of Lancaster; Rose Ann, wife of Wilham A. Fleming, a farmer of Chester County, Pa., and Dr. Samuel N., a physician of Washington, D. C. The eldest son, our subjeet, was reared in Lancaster County, with the exception of eighteen months spent in Ogdensburg, N. Y. He was educated in the publie schools and MeCullough's Academy, at- tending the latter institution two years. In 1851 lie began clerking in the store of T. Armstrong & Co., Georgetown, Lancaster County, and two years later engaged in business for himself at Bethania, Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, continuing as a general merchant under the firm name of D). Houston & Son until 1867. Meanwhile, in 1862, he took part in the great 'civil conflict, and was present at Antietam under Col. lohn L. Wright in the Second Pennsylvania militia.
Dissolving partnership with his father in 1867, Mr. Houston eame to Lancaster, where he was ap- pointed Deputy Assessor in the Internal Revenue office under John B. Warfel. In 1868 he was a delegate from Lancaster County to the National Convention at Chicago, which nominated Grant and Colfax. In May of 1869 he resigned as Deputy, and engaged in the manufacture of eorks
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as a member of the Conestoga Cork Works Com- pany, his partners being the late Jar Cadwell and Harris Boardman. In April, 1870, the concern was burned out, and his partnership in the business was dissolved. September 1, 1870. he embarked in the wholesale notion business, which he has sinee followed. At first he occupied a building 24x66 feet, but gradually increased his quarters until he now occupies three times that space. The location of his establishment is at Nos. 24. 25 and 26 Penn Square.
In the organization of the Helvetia Leather Company, Mr. Houston was a prime factor. and be- came President of the concern, which manufac- tures a machinery leather three times the strength of oak tanned leather. He was also one of the or- ganizers of the Houston Coal and Coke Company, of which he is President. The plant is located at Elkhorn, McDowell County, W. Va., and the works have a capacity of five hundred thousand tons per annum.
At Lancaster in 1882, Mr. llouston was united in marriage with Miss Margaret A., daughter of Thomas C. Wiley, a boot and shoe merchant of this city. By this union one child was born, named Margaret Olive. Politically Mr. Houston became a Greenbacker in 1877. In 1886 he was the nom- inee of that party for Governor of Pennsylvania, and received the full party vote. The issues hay- ing since changed. however, he supported Benja- min Harrison for President in 1892. He has oe- cupied various positions of trust within the gift of his fellow-citizens. In 1857 he was elected a mem- ber of the Board of Prison Inspectors, and served in that capacity until 1861. The following year he assisted in organizing the Umon League of Salisbury Township, of which he was President during its existence. During the memorable elec- tion of 1886 for members of the British House of Commons, Mr. Ilouston assisted in organizing Branch No. 694 of the Irish National League of America at Lancaster, Pa., of which he was elected President. This branch, with only thirty members, sent more than 82,000 to Ireland to aid in that struggle. After the division in the Irish ranks growing out of the Parnell scandal, this branch surrendered its charter and organized the James
Stewart Branch of the Irish Federation of America. of which Mr. Houston was again made President. Mr. Houston's loyalty to his native land has never interfered with his devotion to the highest inter- ests of his adopted country. Ile has ever been ac- tive in the promotion of all enterprises calculated to advance the material, commercial and social welfare of the people. Especially is he interested in the prosperity of Lancaster, which has no eiti- zen more publie spirited than he. He aided in or- ganizing the Board of Trade, and as long as it ex- isted was one of its most active members. llis recognized business ability has won for him the regard of the people and the confidence of those with whom he has been intimately associated.
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HARLES HI. FREY, who is intimately con- nected with the business interests of the enterprising city of Lancaster, is a whole- sale and retail dealer in boots and shoes, hence he very naturally finds a place in this connection. He was born in Lancaster County, April 1, 1862, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. Frey. and was reared in his native county, graduating from the high school in 1880, after which he superin- tended his father's farm. In 1882 he engaged in the leaf tobacco business, being associated with his father from the time of his partner's death.
In December, 1885, our subject retired from the business and formed a partnership with William K. Eekert, under the firm name of Frey & Eckert. Their boot and shoe business, which has been es- tablished for twenty years at Nos. 3 and 5 East King Street, has a frontage of thirty-two feet, with a depth of one hundred and forty-five feet, and is four stories in height. The first floor is stocked with boots and shoes, while the remainder of the building is rented. Large quantities of goods are bought direct from manufacturers. This is one of the best conducted boot and shoe houses in Lan- caster, and its success is due largely to the good business management of our subject.
The marriage of C. Il. Frey and Miss Aunie
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Remley took place in Lancaster in August, 1886. One child blesses their home. Edna M. Mr. | Frey is an honored member of Herschel Lodge, 1. O. O. F., and has been an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association for twelve years, serving as its Treasurer for the past five years. Ile is a consistent member of St. Paul's Re- formed Church, and politically is identified with the Prohibition party.
The successful business career of Mr. Frey fur- nishes another example of what untiring indus- try will accomplish for a young man possessing good habits with a proper aim in life. Although scarcely yet in life's prime, he is in the possession of a lucrative business. is well connected socially, and financially ranks among the active business men of this city.
OIN LIGHT ATLEE, M. D., LL. D. In every department of human activity Lancaster has contributed successful and eminent men, whose superior talents and researches have promoted the world's progress, whose abilities have won wide recognition and whose culture of mind has brought them the admiration of many to whom they are personally unknown. Such an one was the late Dr. Atlee, than whom Lancaster has con- tributed no brighter light to adorn the galaxy of the medical world. It is, therefore, fitting that in this volume mention should be made of his event- ful career.
The Atlee family is of English descent and dates its lineage back in an unbroken line prior to the time of Charles I., and many of the name filled po- sitions of honor and trust. Our subject's great- grandfather, William Atlee, of Fordhook Ilouse, in the parish of Acton, England, emigrated to this country in 1733 as Private Secretary to Lord Howe, Governor of the Barbadoes. His wife was a daugh- ter of an English clergyman, and a cousin of Will- iam Pitt. Dr. Atlee's grandfather, William Au- gustus Atlee, oldest son of William and Jane Atlee, was born in Philadelphia, and studying law in the
office of Judge Shippen, was admitted to the Lan- easter Bar. Ile soon rose to eminence in the legal fraternity, and in 1777 became First Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, con- tinuing on that bench until August 17, 1791. Ile was an ardent supporter of the Colonial cause, and after the establishment of our independence, was appointed, August 17, 1791, President Judge of the First District Court, whichi embraced in its jurisdiction the counties of Chester, Lancaster, York and Dauphin. While filling that position he fell a victim to bilious fever.
William Pitt, son of Judge Willian A. and Es- ther (Sayre) Atiee, married a daughter of Maj. John Light, and of the six children resulting from this union, the subject of this sketch was the eldest. Ile was born in the city of Laneaster November 2, 1799, and in boyhood was a student of the then famous academy of Wray & Urley, in Philadel- phia. Ile commenced his medical studies in 1815 in the office of Dr. Samuel Humes, of Lancaster, and two years later entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution in 1820 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After graduating he returned to the city of his birth and commenced the prac- tice of his profession.
March 12, 1822, Dr. Atlee married Sarah II., daughter of Hon. Walter Franklin, an eminent jurist, who for many years served as President Judge of the courts of Larcaster and York Conn- ties. Mrs. Atlee was a woman of amiable disposi- tion and cultured mind, and adorned every relation of life with dignity and grace. Fifty-eight years she was her husband's faithful helpmate, and then was called from earth at an advanced age. Iler surviving children are: Dr. Walter F. Atlee, the well known surgeon of Philadelphia and honored Fellow of the College of Physicians; William An- gustus, an influential member of the Lancaster Bar, and Miss Anne Franklin Atlee. A third son, Dr. John L., Jr., a physician who stood high in every . relation in life, died in 1885.
From the time of graduating in 1820 until within a few days of his death, Dr. Atlee was act- ively engaged in the duties of his profession. A few months before his decease he had an attack of
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facial paralysis, but the direct cause of his death was an attack of pneumonia, and on the afternoon of October 1, 1885. after an eventful career of nearly eighty-six years. he passed away.
The services rendered by Dr. Atlee in educa- tional matters were of the highest value. In 1838 the State Legislature created the system of free school education, but when the effort was made to carry this system into practical operation it met with formidable opposition, especially among the Germans, who formed a large element of the pop- ulation of Lancaster County. These people still held tenaciously to the school system existing un- der the act of 1820. When the time came for the ehange from the old plan to the new, it was largely through the unwearied, intelligent and skillful ef- forts of Dr. Atlee that the free schools were inau- gurated and the opposition thereto overcome. Nor did his interest in the free school system cease with its establishment. He became Chairman of the Superintending Committee, and for forty years served as Director of the School Board of Lancas- ter. In founding the Normal School at Millers- ville he was also a prominent factor. The reso- lutions of the School Board of Lancaster, passed after his demise, fully attest the value of his serv- ices in the cause of education. In the organiza- tion of Franklin and Marshall College he largely aided, and also filled the position of Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in that institution, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Laws.
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