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 27
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ILLIAM R. MARTIN, Secretary and Treasurer of the Henry Martin Brick Machine Manufacturing Company, was born in Lancaster August 26, 1870. Ilis father was HIenry Martin. William R. is the eldest of the second marriage of his father, and he was reared in Lancaster, where he received a good education in the common and high schools and was graduated from Lancaster Business College in 1886. Ile engaged in business with his father in the manufacture of brick-making machinery, which concern was incor- porated in 1887, and William R. made Secretary and Treasurer, Hle is also engaged in the real- estate business and platted William R. Martin's addition to Lancaster on the old Morton property, where he has erected eight houses and other build- ings. Ile laid out and named Highland Avenue, an extension of South Queen Street, and deeded it to the city. His own residence is No. 653 West Chestnut Street.
Like most sensible young men, our subject early in life chose a worthy companion in the person of Miss Catherine R. Fahenstock, a native of Lancas-
ter, to whom he was married February 2, 1892. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry R. Fahenstock, of Lancaster. By this marriage one child, Richard F., has come to bless their home.
In his political atliliations our subject is a Re- publiean, and in religious matters is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, while his wife is a mem- ber of St. James' Episcopal Church. Mr. Martin is a member of the Royal Arcanum. That the reader may form a comprehensive idea of the character of the machine manufactured by the Henry Martin Brick Machine Manufacturing Company the sub- joined is given:
"In speaking of the great inventions of the day that have done the most to revolutionize the old process of hard labor and proved of the greatest real good to civilization, the machine for manu- facturing brick deserves more comment than is usually bestowed upon it.
"The Martin Machines have justly a reputation through the United States and Canada, and have gone into great concerns all over the different states and territories.
"In Rochester, N. Y., the Rochester German Brick and Tile Company use six; while the Roches- ter Brick and Tile Company employ nine. In Buf- falo, Messrs. Brush have thirteen Martin Machines in use in their yards; Louis Kirkover, of the same place, has five; G. W. Schmidt has four; F. W. Haake, three; Henry Deitschler, three. In Pitts- burg there are seventy-eight firms who are using the Martin Machine. This is a great showing in a single city, especially when it is remembered that all of them are leading concerns and must have a reliable machine. Other companies in scores of important towns, to whom reference cannot here be made, have several Martin Machines in use in their yards, many having replaced those of other makes.
"The simplicity and great strength of these ma- chines make them particularly desirable for the export trade. At Bangkok, Siam; Dundee, New Zealand; Finland, Russia, Sagua la Chica, Cuba; Valparaiso, Chili, and many other foreign points, the Martin Machines are giving entire satisfaction.
"Its inventor is a practical man. He is an En- glishman by birth and started in life with limited
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means and little influence from friends. He learned
of his life, but in later years operated a farm near the briek-making business and carpenter's trade in . Safe Harbor, and died at the old homestead. lle the Old Country, and by private study at odd times in the city of Liverpool became in time an expert in mechanical drawing and architecture. was an old line Whig, and in religion was a Luth- eran. Ile married a Miss Fry, by whom he had a family of eight children, namely: Adam, Christo- "In England he was connected with some of the largest brick-making concerns of that country and became familiar with every detail of the business. "Since 1858 these machines have been tested all over the I'nited States and Canada: many recent patented improvements having added greatly to the value and efficiency of the machine. pher, John, Jacob, Margaret, Elizabeth, Polly and George. Jacob, the father of our subject, was born in Indiantown, Manor Township. In his boyhood he learned the miller's trade, and became also fa- miliar with agricultural pursuits. llis death of- curred on his farm, which he had carried on for many years, its location being in Manor Township "It is perfectly automatic and self-striking. Its strength and durability are its two principal points. Its output is always very large and it aequits itself with credit under trying circumstances with any kind of clay that can be worked by hand. near Groff's Mill. Politically Mr. Brenner was a Whig, and like his ancestors held to the faith of the Lutheran Church. On attaining to man's estate he wedded Susan E-hbach, by whom he had twelve children, in order of birth as follows: Adam, John, "All parts being well fortified, it allows the brick to be molded unusually stiff. The machine taken in all its parts is as near perfeet as human ingenuity ean make it. Nancy, Susan, Jacob, Christian. Abram (deceased), Mattie, Elizabeth, Fanme, Katie and David. The father departed this life in 1869, aged sixty-nine years, while his wife died in 1867.
"It will fill out each mold and turn out good brick, with square corners and well defined edges, and if suitable molding sand is used, with smooth faces."
OHIN E. BRENNER, one of the practical farm- ers of Manor Township, is the proprietor of a good farm comprising thirty-three aeres, and also owns the Willow Grove Flouring Mill, which is located on the banks of the Little Conestoga River. Almost his entire life has been passed in this township, in which his birth occurred, jand thus for a period of about seventy years his home has been made in this immediate vicinity.
The Brenner family have long been noted in Lancaster County, and our subject's great-grand- father, who located here in the last century, came from his native country, Switzerland, on account of religious intolerance. His son, Christopher, the grandfather of our subject, was a blacksmith, which occupation he followed actively during the most
Joli E. Brenner was born October 2, 1818, at Mellingers Mill in this township, and received his early education in the district schools of the local- ity and in Millersville. He remamed with his fa- ther on the farm, lending Ins assistance to its cul- tivation until he was twenty-four years of age. Ile was then married and began farming on his own ac- count in the same township, and in 1873 removed to his present location. He is a thorough and prac- tical agriculturist, and is also a business man of good ability. Ever active in educational affairs, he has used his influence and means in the acquire- ment of good schools and teachers, and served for three terms as a School Director. An active Re- publiean, he served as Supervisor of this township for one term, was one of the Poor House Directors of the county, at one time was on the United States Jury at Philadelphia, and has filled minor positions with fidelity and credit to himself.
December 11, 1843, Mr. Brenner was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Christian Kill- heifer. Of this union nine children were born, as follows: Levi, who operates his father's mill; Heury, also at home; John, who is engaged in the nursery business; Benjamin, a resident of Columbia; David; Amanda, wife of Abner Miller; Susan, wife of Will-
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iam Dietrich, who is employed in the United States Mint in Philadelphia; Ehzabeth, who became the wife of William Spera, now Superintendent of the Columbia Gray Iron Works, and Ezra, who lives in Millersville, and who is Tax Collector of Manor Township. Mr. and Mrs. Brenner are members of the Mennonite Church, in the work of which they are interested andactive, and during the long years of their residence in this community they have won the approbation of their friends and neighbors for their industrious and worthy course in life.
F FRANKLIN SUTTON, an honored resident of Lancaster, is a native of this county, and the work that he has done toward de- veloping its interests gives him a worthy place among the true-hearted, hard-working men who laid the foundation for the present prosperity of this portion of the state. He is the son of Joel and Margaret (Lovett) Sutton, and was born in Fulton Township, January 15, 1826.
The paternal grandfather of our subject lived in Cecil County, Md., and was descended from one of three brothers who came to this country from Scotland, of whom it is thought one located in Canada. The grandfather passed his entire life in the above county, and his only child was loch, the father of onr subject. He was born in Cecil Coun- ty, where he obtained a good education and de- veloped into an intelligent young man. His oe- cupation in life was that of a miller, which he fol- lowed after removing to Fulton Township, this county. Later he took up his abode on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Colerain Township, and while superintending its operation carried on a good business as proprietor of Steels Mill. In pohties he was first a Whig and after the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. Ile was the recipient of many local posi- tions, and was ever true to the responsibilities and duties imposed upon him in various capacities.
Ile was for many years a member of the Baptist Church.
The parental family ineluded eleven children, of whom Frankhn was the eldest but one. His brothers and sisters hore the respective names of James L., Louisa, Edwin, Joel, Anna, William L., George R., Walter, Orlando and Sarah. The two latter are deceased. The father of these children passed away in 1863, at the age of sixty-nine. His good wife survived him many years, dying when in her eighty-fifth year.
The original of this sketch received his educa- tion in the public and select schools of Lancaster, and at the age of nineteen entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained until after at- taining his majority. He then began clerking in a store in the county, holding that position for two and one-half years. At the expiration of that time he assumed charge of his father's mill in Colerain Township, and two years thereafter em- barked in life on his own account, buying a store at Oak Shade. in Little Britain Township, whither he removed and took charge of affairs.
While residing in the above place our subject was postmaster for three years. Later he purchased a farm and mill property, both of which he carried on with signal success until 1862, when he sold his farm and removed into the city of Lancaster. Before removing to Lancaster, Franklin Sutton was appointed Inspector of Distilled Spirits and Coal Oil, which ottice he held for four years under Alex- ander Hood, who was Inspector of Internal Rev- enue. Ilis term of office having expired, our sub- jeet. in company with John Shaeffer, engaged in the planing mill business and the manufacture of agri- cultural implements, and some time later. with other parties, prospected for iron ore in Lancaster County. In polities he is a true blue Republican. He is an official member of the Baptist Church, be- ing Trustee and Deacon for a number of years.
October 21, 1851, Franklin Sutton was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Long, daughter of John Long, a farmer and manufacturer of cycles in Drumore Township. To them have been born three children. Ella, who is the wife of Dr. E. H. Witmer, resides in Neffsville, this county; John L. is at home with his parents, and has charge of
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the wall paper department of the J. B. Martin Company; Hattie S. married Paris Erb, a pattern- maker and machinist.
Dr. James L. Sutton, the eldest brother of our subject, is a graduate of the Jefferson Medieal College of Philadelphia, also the Hahnemann Homeopathie College of Philadelphia. lle served as a surgeon in the late war and died while in the army from typhoid fever. William L., another of the family, was clerk in the Reformatory School at Huntingdon. and has served for many years in that capacity in the various departments of the court house in this city. He is a very popular man, and was Deputy Sheriff several years ago.
J AMES HI. MARSHALL, formerly Postmaster, and at the present time Assistant Postmaster of Lancaster, has been in this department of Government work ever since 1867, with the exception of the four years of President Cleve- land's first term. Ile is one of the most honored citizens of this place, where he is well known and very popular in all cireles. As one of the boys in blue who marehed from Chattanooga to the sea and did valiant service in upholding the Union cause, it is surely most fitting that the Govern- ment which he so bravely defended should in a public manner manifest their appreciation of his services, as they have done in giving him his im- portant position.
James II. is the son of William Marshall, who was born in Lancaster in 1810, and was a promi- nent shoe manufacturer for many years in this city. His death occurred in 1881, while that of his wife took place in 1893. The latter, who was also born in Lancaster, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sowers and was the daughter of Henry Sowers; she was of German descent and was born in 1812. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was born in the northern part of Ireland, emigrated to this county at a very early day. |
and his descendants have since been well known in this locality.
The birth of James HI. Marshall took place in Laneaster September 12, 1838. He received a publie school education and was also a student in the private school of St. James' Episcopal Church. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Lan- easter Examiner and Herald, where he remained for four years. For the next year he resided in llar- risburg, being a pressman in the office of the Daily Patriot of that place. In 1859, going to Nashville, Tenn., he obtamed employment in the Baptist Publishing house for a time. Coming back to this city, he was foreman in the Examiner and Herald office until the fall of 1861. October 5 of that year he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. On the expiration of Ins three years' service he veteranized and con- tinned until the close of the war, fighting on south- ern battlefields. With his regiment he took part in the engagements of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, went with Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea, and was appointed Commissary Ser- geant February 12, 1862. January 20, 1865, he was commissioned First Lieutenant by Governor Curtin, and at the same time was Quartermaster of the regiment. After the march to Atlanta, he participated in the engagements of Goldsboro and Bentonville. After Johnston's surrender he went to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review, and was mustered out in July, 1865.
For a few years after his return to this state, Mr. Marshall worked at his trade in Coatesville, and was then appointed United States Deputy Marshal in Lancaster. Subsequently for eight years he served in the postotlice department, and was one of the first letter carriers in the city. January 26. 1876, he was appointed Postmaster, and was re-appointed in 1881, serving until August 10, 1885, when he was removed on account of the change in the administration. He next received the appointment of Financial Clerk of the Soldiers' Orphans Schools at Harrisburg, from State Super- intendent of Public Instruction, Dr. E. E. Iligbee
JOHN G. FORSTBURG.
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This post he held until resigning to accept the place of Assistant Postmaster under Maj. Elwood Greist, of Lancaster. When he became an employe of the postal service in 1867 there were only eight employes in the postoffice, including the Postinas- ter, delivery, money order and registry clerks, and the four letter carriers. Now there are over thirty men employed in the various departments, and in 1891 the postoffice was assigned to the first class.
May 26, 1863. while at home on a furlough. Mr. Marshall married Catherine W. McCaskey, who was born in Leacock Township. She is a daughter of William and sister of Prof. J. P. McCaskey, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have had six children, Maggie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Wilham L., a graduate of the high school now holding a prominent position in the Farmers' National Bank of this place; Bertha, Harry H., Maud and Blanche. The family residence is situated at No. 20 East Walnut Street.
Religiously Mr. Marshall is an Episcopalian and a Vestryman in the St. James' Church. He belongs to Lancaster Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M .; to Lancas- ter Chapter No. 43, R. A. M., and is identified with George HI. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R.
1 OHN G. FORSTBURG. Superintendent of the Star Brewery of Lancaster, is a practical and successful man in this trade, and the company with which he now is may con- sider itself fortunate in having secured his services, for he is unanimously conceded to be foremost in his line in the county. A man of more than usual intelligence, he is a chemist and an inventor. In partnership with Mr. Burkland, he patented an ammonia valve for ice machines which is of great practical value and destined to make a fortune for the owners.
The subject of this biography is a native of Sweden, having been born in Christinehornn,
Vermland. April 12, 1857. His father, Johan, was born in the same locality and was superintendent of a large farm, where he resided until his death in 1870. Ile was a faithful member of the Luthi- eran Church and worthy and upright in his daily life. His wife, Maria M. (Carlson) Forstburg, was born in Christinehornn, and her death occurred in the year of our subject's birth. Her only other child who lived to mature years, Carl F., is a ma- chinist in Sweden.
John G. Forstburg was reared on the home farm, attending the common schools of his native land and there acquiring a good general education. After his father's death he went to Sundsvall and at the age or sixteen was apprenticed to a brewer, becoming thorougly conversant with all the details of the business and giving much of his attention to the study of chemistry and kindred subjects. In 1877, going to llull, England, he pursued a course of training in an extensive brewery, after which he returned to his former place.
In 1879 Mr. Forstburg set sail for America, go- ing by way of lull and Glasgow, and arriving in New York City on the steamer "State of Nevada." For a short time he worked in Heralds Brewery in Hartford, Conn., thence going to Buffalo. After- ward he was employed for a time in the large Ruperts Brewery in New York City. Receiving fine recommendations from his former employers, he went to Baltimore, Md., becoming foreman of the Standard Brewery, and acted in that capacity for three years. It was in July, 1888, that he came to this city, being Superintendent of Spen- ger's Brewery for about three years. In 1891 he was offered a similar position with the Star Brew- ing Company, and in 1893 superintended the erec- tion and equipment of this establishment, which is known to be the finest of the kind in the state, and furnished with all modern appliances and ma- chinery used in the trade. The Star Brewery manufactures the celebrated Pilsener and Vienna beer and can turn out about forty thousand bar- rels per annum. On account of the superior qual- ity of their goods the products find a ready sale in all parts of the surrounding counties, and the business is steadily increasing.
In 1884 Mr. Forstburg was married in New York
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City to Miss Philipene Weber, a native of Sweib- riggen, Rheinfolz. The worthy couple occupy a well built home on Pearl Street and also own the four adjoining residences. They have an interest- ing family of three children, John, Lillie and Gus- tav. Mr. and Mrs. Forstburg are faithful mem- bers of the Lutheran Church of this city. The former is a Democrat and socially belongs to Mat- tomow Tribe No. 63 Order of Red Men.
M AJ. JEREMIAH ROHRER is the largest wholesale liquor merchant in Lancaster, in which business he has been engaged since 1861. A veteran of the late war, he arose to the rank of Major through merit and valiant ser- vice, holding that commission in the Que Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. Ma- jor Rohrer has served a number of times in official capacities and in public affairs and each time ac- quitted himself greatly to his own credit and to the satisfaction of those concerned.
Our subject was born in Lebanon, Pa., May 9, 1827, coming from one of the old families of Leb- anon County, his ancestors having located in Lan- caster County on coming from Switzerland. The paternal grandfather, John Rohrer, was in the War of the Revolution and endured the terrible sufferings of Valley Forge, being First Lieutenant of the Flying Battalion. He was a locksmith by trade and was an early settler of Lebanon County. Our subject's father, David Rohrer, was also born in Lebanon County, which was then known as Dauphin, and, like his father, be was in early years a locksmith, but in later years engaged in manu- facturing grain sickles. Removing to Middletown, he worked at this business until his death, at the age of forty-two.
The mother of our subjeet, who was born near Middletown, was Mary, daughter of John J. Par- themore. Her paternal grandfather came to the United States from a village near Hamburg in
Hesse-Darmstadt, and he was an active member of the German Reformed Church. The latter, John Frederick, landed in Philadelphia October 20, 1744, and located in what is now Dauphin County, where his death occurred. His son, John Philip, who was born in Germany, became a farmer in Dauphin County, in the vicinity of Middletown, and John J., his son, also followed agricultural pursuits in the same neighborhood. Mrs. Rohrer after the death of her first husband, David Rohrer, in 1843, married John Parthemore, by whom she had one child. Her death occurred March 24, 1848. The Major is the second of the children of the first union. Ilis eldest brother, Jacob L., died at the age of one year; Elizabeth died in Springfield, Ohio; Absalom S. and Jacob both died in child- hood; and George F. is a resident of Harrisburg.
In his youth Major Rohrer learned the carpen- ter's trade, and afterward worked at contracting and building. He was then a manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds in Middletown for about two months, when he was burned out; afterward he rebuilt and continued the business for live years, later next engaging in fruit farming. In Angust, 1862, he became a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infan- try, being under Colonel Jennings. Major Rohrer recruited Company II, Susquehanna Rangers, at Middletown, in three days and was made Captain of the company. When it was mustered in at Harrisburg August 12, he was commissioned Major of the regiment and placed in the Second Divi- sion of the Army of the Potomac. At the bat- tle of Fredericksburg this regiment was one of the first to cross the river, and they lost two hundred and forty-two of their enrolled men during the battle. The next engagement in which they par- tieipated was the battle of Chancellorsville and skirmishes near Fredericksburg that followed. The Major was on duty night and day for a long time, and though he had many narrow escapes, was for- tunate in never being wounded. After his faith- fut service he was mustered-ont at Harrisburg, May 29, 1863.
In the spring of 1864 our subject came to Lan- caster and for the succeeding thirteen years has been located at No. 22 Penn Square, in the whole-
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sale liquor business. In this building he occupies the four floors and basement, the first floor being used for the retail business. The building is sup- plied with an elevator, and everything in the line of his business may here be found. Ilis Wild Cherry Tonie has a wide reputation for excell- ence.
Our subject is interested in the Lancaster Trust Company, the People's National and the People's Trust Saving and Deposit Companies Banks. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Register of Wills of Lancaster County, serving until January, 1876. Prior to this he was for three years an Inspector of Prisons and was President of the Board during the last year. He suggested and invented the iron-clad cells in use in the prisons and many other improvements of a practical nature. For the past ten years he has been Trustee of the Home for Friendless Children. In Masonic and social cir- cles he is very active, being a member of Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., and has raised four of his sons in about three years to the Master Mason's de- gree. A Royal Arch Mason, he belongs to Chapter No. 43, to Council No. 19, and to Commandery No. 13, K. T., of which he is Past Commander. Formerly he was associated with the Odd Fellows. the Senior Order of United American Mechanics and the Knights of Pythias, being a charter mem- ber of the lodge. As a member of the Royal Ar- canum he is active, as well as with the George II. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R. In politics he de- posits his ballot in favor of Republican nominees.
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