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 28
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Major Rohrer was married in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, March 24, 1853, to Mary .A .. daughter of George Redsecker, an early settler and miller on the Conewago Creek, the dividing line between Dauphin and Lancaster Counties. Mrs. Rohrer was born in Ehzabethtown, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Dr. George R., whose office is at No. 45 East Orange Street, Lancaster; Jacob B., a civil engineer on the Chi- cago Drainage Canal; Marie Louise and Mary, who are at home; Grant, a railroad contractor; Howard, a druggist, but now in business with his father; and Daisy M., who is at home. Mrs. Rohrer and several of her children are members of the First
Presbyterian Church of the city and the family is highly respected.
For two terms Major Rohrer was a member of the Common Council of Lancaster, serving on the special Water Committee, which built and com- pleted the new water works. As a member of the Select Council, he also served for two terms, when he resigned, and while there was a member of the Finance and Water Committees. In everything re- lating to the improvement and development of the place he has been zealous and active, having the welfare of the people at heart.
ROF. GEORGE BENKERT, proprietor of Benkert's School of Music in Lancaster, is an accomplished musician and able teacher. While studying that art in Germany he carried off the honors of his class, which distinction was ac- corded him by Professor Volekmar. His estab- lishment is located at No. 147 East King Street, and its owner is highly appreciated and received in the best circles of society in the city.
Our subject was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, April 14, 1864, and is the son of William Benkert, also a native of the Fatherland. The latter com- pleted his musical training in a noted school in Homberg and is a teacher in the public schools and an organist in his native place. Ile married Miss Matikla MocHer, a native of Kirchberg, Ger- many, and the daughter of Jacob Moeller, an or- ganist and pianist in this community.
George, of this sketch, was the fourth in order of birth among nine children, of whom five are now living. He was reared in Germany, where he received a good education in the public schools and studied music under his father and grand- father. When commencing his studies in the Ilom- berg Seminary, he placed himself under the in- struction of Professor Volekmar, taking lessons in harmony, composition, and on the piano, organ and violin. He entered the seminary when sev-
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enteen years of age, and after some time there entered the preparatory school, where he remained two years. On leaving the seminary he received the honors of his elass in organ and piano music. Deciding to come to America, Professor Benkert set sail from his native land in 1883. Arriving in New York City. he immediately made his way to this city and obtained the position of organist and teacher in a parochial school. After being thus engaged for four years he established a school of music, which he has provided with the best instrue- tors on piano and pipe organ. Ile devotes his en- tire time to this business and has many pupils, who have placed themselves under his instruction knowing that he will develop in the best possible manner whatever musical talent they may have.
Professor Benkert was married in this city in 1890 to Miss Clara A., daughter of August J. Riske, a merchant tailor. To them were born two children, William A. and Catherine A.
G
. YRON J. BROWN is one of the most suc- cessful contractors in the painting and decorating line in Lancaster and has done the most artistic work on the best houses and pub- lic buildings in the city. Ile is very popular in all cireles and is widely and favorably known as a good business man and a leader in church and po- litical lines as well. In all measures pertaining to the good of this eity and his neighbors he takes an active and vigorous part.
A native of Lancaster, Mr. Brown was born Au- gust 7, 1852, being a son of George W., a native of Cumberland County, his birthplace having been only three miles from Harrisburg. The paternal grandfather, whose Christian name was also George, was born and reared in Cumberland County. where his father, a native of the North of Ireland, settled at a very early day. Grandfather Brown on at- taining maturity turned his attention to the iron business, operating the Tyrone Forge in Cumber-
land County for a number of years, or until shortly before his death. His wife, who was a member of the Flickernell family, was of German descent and died when over eighty years of age.
George W. Brown, Jr., was the youngest of twelve children and was a youth of only fifteen years on his arrival in Lancaster, where his brother, David P., who had charge of the Henry Leaman Rifle Works, had preceded him. George Brown commenced his apprenticeship as a painter and furniture maker with George Rote, and at the end of his time, in 1848, started in business for himself as a contract painter, which trade is still carried on by his son. llis office was for many years on North Queen Street and in 1865 the shop was per- manently located at No. 52 North Queen Street. Byron J. continues the business of house painting, in addition to being a dealer in paints, oils, glass, ete., at No. 50 North Queen Street. The father de- parted this life May 27, 1889, at the age of sixty- three years. A prominent Democrat, he served in various public capacities in former years, having been Assessor and later being a member of the Select Council from the First Ward and also of the Com- mon Council. From 1848 he had been active in Masonic circles, being a member of the old Lodge No. 43 and having taken the Knight Templar de- gree. In 1849 he became a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, afterward joining the Knights of Pythias and Order of Red Men. For his wife he married Mary E., daughter of flerman Villee, whose birth occurred in France. Ile was a job printer, and ran a book store for a number of years, later removing to Moconoy, where his death occurred. Mrs. Brown, who survives her husband, was born in Lancaster and has now reached the age of sixty-three years. As one of the charter members of St. John's Episcopal Church of this city she has always been most active in its work and continues to be a zealous worker at the pres- ent time, devoting the main part of her time and interest to various benevolent and religious enter- prises. Of her three sons and two daughters, four still survive, Byron J. being the eldest of the family.
The gentleman whose name heads this article obtained a good education in the common and
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high schools of Lancaster, and when seventeen years old commenced learning his father's trade, continuing in business with him with the excep- tion of one year, which was passed in Philadelphia. In time he was given most of the superintendence of the business, and when his father died, in 1889, succeeded him at the old location. The specialty of Mr. Brown, a department in which he excels. is fine graining for the trade, and for twelve years his services in this direction have been in great de- mand in all parts of the vicinity. In fine decorat- ing and interior finishings he also devotes much of his time, and many of the finest private residences in the city owe much to his skill and good taste. Among the many public buildings which might be mentioned as bearing evidence of his handiwork are the Trinity Lutheran and St. John's Episcopal Churches.
The lady who presides over the home of Mr. Brown, which is located at No. 544 West Chest- nut Street, became his wife April 21. 1872, at Middletown. Pa. She was formerly Lydia D. Sloat and was born at Ephrata, being a daughter of John Sloat, who was proprietor of the flour mills at that place. Nine children were born to Mr, and Mrs. Brown, six of whom are living, as follows, Mary, Harry, Ilelen, George, Robert and Paul. Harry, the eldest son, is now in business with his father, and is his right hand man.
For the past two years our subject has been Clerk of the Select Council. his term having expired April 1, 1894. For eleven years he has been fore- man of Truck A of the Lancaster Fire Depart- ment, and is a member of the old Empire Associa- The father of our subject in early life followed the combined occupations of farmer and butcher and also to some extent engaged in operating a threshing machine. Ile is now, however, in pos- session of a good estate in this county, upon which he located in April. 1881. Besides his four farms he is the possessor of a mill and is highly regarded by all who know him. IIe is well-to-do in this world's goods and his competence has been the re- sult of his own efforts, together with the assist- ance rendered by his good wife, who was also economical and industrious. Christian Musselman is a devoted member of the Reformed Church. In tion. In the line of his work he is affiliated with the Master Ilouse Painters and Decorators Associ- ation of Pennsylvania, and has been a represen- tative every year since it was organized, serving on various committees. Active in the ranks of the Democracy, he belongs to the Young Men's Democratic Society of this city, and socially is a member of Can-as-sa-te-go Tribe No.203, Improved Order of Red Men, of which he has been Secretary for several years. He has served as a representa- tive to the Great Council of the state. and was honored by being elected to the Great Council of the United States, Pennsylvania electing only four ; politics he is a firm Democrat, and was elected on
representatives each year. The other organiza- tions to which he belongs are the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Malta and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, With his wife he holds mem- bership with St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he is one of the most valued workers.
HRISTIAN M. MUSSELMAN. Among the young men who are cultivating a por- tion of the soil of Lancaster County with gratifying success, should be mentioned this gen- tleman, who is a prominent agriculturist in East Ilempfield Township. lle is the son of Christian and Martha ( Minich) Musselman, and was born on the farm where he is at present residing March 1, 1852.
Jolın Musselman, grandfather of our subject. was also a native of this county, where he was well-to-do financially. Ile married a Miss Klugh, by whom he became the father of two sons and three daughters, bearing the respective names of John, May, Sarah, Elizabeth and Christian. The grandfather departed this life while yet a young man and when Christian was a lad of seven years. The latter was born March 1, 1817. and received a good education for that early day.
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that ticket to the office of Supervisor of his town- ship for a period of twelve years.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, by name Jolin Minich, was a farmer and carpenter, carrying on operations in this township. 1hs daughter, the mother of our subject, had the fol- lowing children: Sarah, the wife of John Martin; Ilenry, a miller in this township; Martha, Fanny, Christian M .; Jacob, engaged in operating a thresh- ing machine in East Hempfield Township; Frank- lin, a farmer located in this township; Christine, the wife of Cyrus Hustand; Benjamin, a butcher, located in Donorville; and Amos, a farmer of this section. The family are all living and are well established in life.
The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life on the old homestead and was educated in the distriet school. In 1881, when his parents removed from this place, he took charge of the farm, com- prising one hundred and thirty-live aeres, and is now its owner. lle has always followed agricul- tural pursuits and is making a success of his call- ing. Ile is a stanch Democrat in polities and is greatly interested in the success of his party. Oc- tober 23, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hustand, a daughter of Jacob Hustand, a coal and lumber merchant of Salunga. The life record of our subject is a good one and such as to commend him to the respect and esteem of the entire community.
J ACOB JIESTAND. The spirit of progress so characteristic of American citizens of the nineteenth century finds an exemplification in the gentleman above named. Ile is en- gaged in operating an extensive coal and lumber yard in Salunga, in which business he has been en- graged sinee 1865. He is the owner of considerable valuable real estate in the city, together with farm property, all of which he is handling in a profit- able manner.
John and Catherine (Good) Iliestand, the par-
ents of our subject, were natives respectively of York and Lancaster Counties, this state. When a young man the father came to Lancaster County, where he was engaged in farming one hundred and ten acres of land, pleasantly located one quar- ter of a mile from Salunga, which at that time was little more than a village. Ile was also the pro- prietor of a tract of one hundred and seventeen acres near his other estate. Upon it was located a distillery, which he operated for some time. Hle was respected throughout his community, was thor- oughly trusted and was often called upon to act as administrator in the settlement of estates. The old Mennonite Church found in him one of its most valned members. In politics he was first a Whig, but after the organization of the Republi- ean party joined its ranks.
John lliestand was three times married and by his first union there were born the following named children: Christian, Anna, John, Abraham. Susan, Elizabeth and Barbara. By his second wife he had seven children. Ilis marriage with the mother of our subject, the daughter of Henry Good, resulted in the birth of Jacob, Mary, Mattie, John M., Henry Sarah, Catherine and Benjamin, the two latter of whom are deceased.
Jacob was born on the old homestead Angust 21, 1811. lle received a good education and for many years remained on the home farm, which, on the death of his father, he purchased from the other heirs, and is still the owner of the estate. He has two acres of land adjoining Salunga, which he sold on one occasion to the firm of Patterson & Patterson, who used it for their coal and lumber yard. Five years later he bought out their busi- ness, which he is still carrying on with good sue- cess. While engaged in farming he accumulated a comfortable fortune. He is possessed of a keen, clear intellect and is a man of wide experience and extended information. He is known and re- spected for the honesty and sincerity of his char- acter, and has the friendship of the best men in the community.
Jacob Iliestand was married in 1844 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Stehman, by whom he became the father of ten children. John is de- ceased; Ilenry is living on the home farm; Cath-
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erine is the wife of Christian Swan; Barbara mar- ried Abraham Harnish; Sarah is now Mrs. Daniel Grady; Mary is the wife of Christian Musselman; Susan is deceased: Annie is Mrs. Phineas Mussel- man; Fannie is deceased, as is also Elizabeth, who was the wife of Amos Lehman.
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H ON. WALTER W. FRANKLIN is the pres- ent Representative to the Pennsylvania State Legislature from Lancaster. llis home has been made for many years in the city of Lancaster, where his birth occurred and where he is one of the leading attorneys. Ile is active in the ranks of the Republican party, and has served in political positions of influence. During his professional career he has made many warm friends in this community, and is highly esteemed as a lawyer of more than ordinary ability.
The birth of our subject occurred November 12, 1858, he being a son of Col. Emlen Franklin, also a native of this city. Ilis paternal grandfather, Judge Walter Franklin, was of English deseent, and was born in Flushing, L. I. He also was a lawyer, who possessed unusual ability in that pro- fession, and settled in Lancaster in the early days of its history, becoming one of her first lawyers. In political as well as professional circles, he bore a high reputation, served in a number of public capacities, and was Indge of the district at the time ' of his death. In religious faith he was a member of the Society of Friends, and his life was upright and honorable in every respect. Our subject's fa- ther, Colonel Franklin, was a man of superior edu- eation, who graduated from Yale College with the degree of Master of Arts, and then, like his father, engaged in the practice of law. In 1865 he was in the State Legislature, where he represented his distriet for one term, and at another time was Dis- triet Attorney and Register of Wills, resigning the former position in order to offer his services to the Union. In 1861 he entered Company F, of the
First Pennsylvania Volunteers, being elected Cap- tain, and served for three months. On the expira- tion of that period he re-enlisted in the nine months' service, and was active in raising the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment, of which he was made Colonel, and was also aeting Briga- dier-General of the Third Brigade, Third Divis- ion, Third Army Corps. With that department he participated in the important battles of Chan- cellorsville, Fredericksburg and Antietam, as well as in minor engagements. When the term of his enlistment expired he returned home and took charge of raising companies on the Emergency Call, and served as Colonel of the Fiftieth Penn- sylvania Militia until the end of the allotted time. Returning to his law practice he continued actively engaged in business until his death, which occurred June 19, 1891, at which time he was in his sixty- fifth year. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and at one time was candidate on the party ticket for the nomination of Member of Congress, but was beaten by thirty votes, this happening two times. lle was also a Grand Army man, and a thoroughly patriotic citizen. Ilis wife, formerly Clara A. Withers, was born in Lancaster County, being a daughter of Michael Withers, whose birth occurred in Strasburg, also in this county. Ile was of English descent, and his father was, like him. born within the county boundary. In order to obtain a livelihood, he followed farming and mill- ing, and after his long and useful career passed away in this city.
IIon. W. W. Franklin, whose name heads this artiele, is one of three children, he being the eldest. The others are Josephine and Emlen A., who is en- gaged in the manufacture of mining machinery in Durango, Colo. The early education of Mr. Frank- lin was obtained in the excellent public and pri- vate schools of Lancaster, after leaving which it was his privilege to attend for a time the Franklin and Marshall College, which he left at the close of the sophomore year to become a teacher at St. Mary's Academy in this county. Concluding to adopt the profession of his father and grandfather, and having himself a decided inclination in that direction, the young man next began the pursuit of law studies with his father, and after becoming
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thoroughly familiar with the theory and much of the practical workings of law, was admitted to the Bar in 1882. I'nder the able tutelage and direc- tion of Colonel Franklin he was trained in the best methods and skill of modern lawyers, and con- tinued in practice with him until the elder Mr. Franklin died. Since then he has carried on his business alone, having his office at No. 23 South Duke Street, and numbers among his clients those who formerly depended upon his father, and have now come to place the same reliance in the son. In the spring of 1888 he was nominated as a can- didate for the State Legislature, and in the fall of that year was elected, and during his service in the House was Chairman of the Local Judiciary Committee and also served on minor committees. In 1890 he was re-elected to the Legislature, serv- ing as Chairman of the same committee as previ- ously, and also being appointed to serve as a member of Committee on Railroads, being Secre- tary of that committee. When the returns were counted in 1890, it was found that he had been defeated at the' polls on account of frand, which was so evident that the election was eontested, the result being that his election was sustained. In personal manner he is courteous and affable, and readily wins and retains friends.
OL. EDWARD M. GOVERN, who is a prom- inent factor of Lancaster County, as was his father before him, will form the sub- ject of this notice. He was born in Lebanon, Pa., November 11, 1831, and reared on a farm three miles out of the city. In 1846 he went to Wor- cester, Mass., and attended the college of the Holy Cross for six years, graduating in 1852, with the degree of A. B. Later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the Georgetown College.
In 1861, after having studied law under Colonel Frazer, our subject was admitted to the Bar and practiced law with him until August of that year,
when he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. He raised the company, and was mustered in as its Captain. In the fall of 1862 he was commissioned by Governor Curtin as Colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-sec- ond Regiment. He joined his regiment at the see- ond battle of Bull Run, and participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville, and was mustered out with them under General Siekles. Afterward he went to Mexico as civil engineer under Lyon, who was later shot, and worked in that capacity for the Vera Cruz Railroad Company, with which corporation he re- mained for three years. He then returned by the way of New Orleans, and was engaged on the Louisville Short Line Railroad for two years, after the completion of which he returned to Pennsyl- vania. Ile later worked for the Pittsburg & Con- nelsville Railroad, for whom he superintended the construction of two large tunnels, and returned to Lancaster. We next find him as a contractor on the Columbia & Port Deposit Railroad, where he was engaged in heavy work for two or three years. From there he went to New Jersey, and in 1880 to Colorado, where he was engaged with the Den- ver & Rio Grande Railroad Company. This was a big contract, requiring much ability as a rail- road constructor. During this work he tunneled the Cascade Mountains. Ile then returned to his Lancaster home and engaged in farming and fruit growing, and set out a fine orchard three miles from the city. He also built three large tobaceo warehouses in Laneaster.
Politieally, our subject was originally a Repub- lican, casting his vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, but in 1880 beeame identified with the Dem- ocratic party and voted for General Hancock. He has held numerous local offices; has been a mem- her of the Common Couneil from the Sixth Ward for two years; and also Street Commissioner. He was Judge Advocate in the Army of the Potomac and Ohio.
Of our subject's ancestry it may be stated that his father, John MeGovern, was born in the prov- ince of Ulster, Ireland, where he was reared to farm life. lle was in the British army and in the battle of Waterloo in 1815. In January, 1816,
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he emigrated to America, landing at New York, and came to Pennsylvania on foot accompanied by Judge Burnsides, and at once went to work with no capital save two strong arms. Ile drifted from one thing to another, and finally engaged in mereantile business, lumbering, etc Ile was lo- cated at the corner of Lemon and Mulberry Streets, and also ran a store at Lebanon. lle was a con- tractor from about 1820 to 1852, and from 1833 operated a farm. Our subject still owns this prop- erty.
Our subject's mother, Mary Anne (MeDono) McGovern, was a native of Trenton, N. J., and the daughter of Peter MeDono, a native of Ire- land. lle came to Trenton in 1793, and was an importer of beer. In 1804 he removed to Lan- caster, having learned the bottling business in England. lle was the first person to engage in the bottling business at Laneaster, and sold bot- tled goods from wagons throughout the country as far as Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. He died in 1840. By reference to the above concerning our subjeet's father, the reader ean readily under- stand why Col. Edward McGovern has made a success of his life, being reared, as he was, to in- dustry and economy by his father before him.
D AVID W. GRAYBILL, engaged in the leaf tobaceo and mercantile business in East Petersburg, is the son of Daniel and Eliz abeth (Witmer) Graybill, and was born in this place November 10, 1853. The Graybill family is of Swiss origin, and has been identified with the history of Lancaster County for many years.
The grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of Daniel, was born in this state, and is said to have been the owner of a large tract of land. He followed farm pursuits until 1850, when he retired from active life, and spent the remain- der of his years near East Petersburg. In polities he was a Republican, and in religion was identi- fied with the German Baptist Church. By his 9
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