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 29
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
marriage with a Miss llollinger he became the fa- ther of the following-named children, of whom all but two are living: Joseph, Isaac, Daniel, Ja- cob, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Mary. He departed this life in 1859, when just past his three-score years and ten.
The father of our subject was born in White Oak, Penn Township, this county, where he was given a common-school education, and was trained by his honored father to farm pursuits. He was the possessor of a tract of one hundred aeres, which was devoted principally to stock-raising. Following in the footsteps of his father, he voted the Republican ticket, but otherwise was not ae- tive in politics. During the latter part of his life he was connected by membership with the German Baptist Church.
The parents of David W. were married about 1836, the mother being the daughter of Dr. Herman Witmer, a prominent physician of Manor Town- ship. Their union resulted in the birth of four sons and two daughters. Martha is the wife of Daniel B. Kreider and resides on the old home- stead; Ilerman W. is a coal and lumber merehant in Petersburg; Amos W., now deceased, was for- merly engaged in the furniture business in the state of Kansas; Benjamin W. is a farmer and stock-raiser of Avon, Idaho; Elizabeth died in ehildhood; David W., of this sketch, was the young- est. The husband and father died October 11, 1890, aged seventy-seven years. Ihis wife pre- ceded him to the land beyond, dying in 1886, at the age of seventy-one.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and like the other boys of the neigh- borhood attended the distriet school for a time. Afterward he became a student in the Millers- ville State Normal. When completing his eduea- tion he taught three terms of school, after which he engaged in the leaf tobacco business, oeeupy- ing a large warehouse, which is devoted to pre- paring that artiele for the market. Ile gives em- ployment to from eighteen to thirty-four men, and has represented three different tobacco firms, doing a business of about 860,000 annually.
In addition to the enterprise already mentioned, Mr. Graybill is one of the general merchants of
266
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Petersburg, having an establishment well stocked with all grades of goods suitable for both country and city trade. In social matters he belongs to Lancaster Lodge No. 43. F. & A. M., and has been Past Grand of Selah Lodge No. 657, 1. O. O. F .. of Manheim. He is likewise connected with the Meridian Sun Commandery No. 99, K. M., of Lan- caster; Laneaster Lodge No. 88. K. P .; Lancaster Lodge No. 126. A. O. K. of M. C .; and Red Rose Company No. 20. Uniformed Rank, of Lancaster. Mr. Graybill forms one of the State Commandery with rank of Brigadier-General under .I. B. Roberts, Commanding General of the state. He belongs to Conestoga Lodge No. 363, R. A., and in these various orders is prominent and influential. In pohties he is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 188]. He has been Assessor for a number of terms. and was Secre- tary of the County Committee for two years.
April 27. 1880, Mr. Graybill and Miss S. Alice, daughter of William K. Martin, were united in marriage. To them have been born two children, Guy Martin and David Reid.
P ATRICK DONNELLY. The history of Lancaster County would be incomplete without mention of Mr. Donnelly, who is one of its prominent and enterprising citizens. For over a quarter of a century he was an Alder- man in the city of Lancaster, and for three years was the able editor of the Lancaster Democrat. He is the son of James and Bridget (Holland) Donnelly, and was born February 23. 1816, in County Ty- rone, Ireland. James Donnelly was also a native of the above place, where he was a weaver by trade, which business he followed in his native land un- til the time of his emigration to America. ile became a citizen of this country as soon as possi- ble after living here the prescribed time, and in polities was a firm Democrat. His first vote was given in 1823 m favor of John Andrew Schulty
for Governor. He was a devont Catholic in re- ligion, to which faith he remained true during his entire life. He eame to the United States in the year 1818 and located at once in this state. He was aetive in public affairs and was a prominent citizen of Lancaster at the time of his decease, September 27, 1863, when ninety-seven years of age.
Patrick. of this sketch, after completing his edu- cation in the common schools, devoted three years towards learning the trade of a tailor. Not finding this business suited to his health he traveled, selling Irish linens through the south. His health was very much impaired prior to engaging in this business, and after working in the interests of this house for three years, young Donnelly went upon the stage, traveling with some of the best compan- ies in the country. and engaged with the home company (The Connor Dramatie Society). with which he remained for ten years. At the expi- ration of that time our subject took up the study of law, reading under John R. Montgomery, who at that time was one of the most celebrated men at the Lancaster County Bar. He continued this for three years and was admitted to practice in 1847. The profession not being suited to his taste, however, Mr. Donnelly abandoned it a short time thereafter. In 1851 he was appointed Inspector of Cargoes at Lancaster for the Pennsylvania Rail- road. In 1853 he went to Washington, D. C., where he was given a position in the Postoffice Department, and in this and other departments served altogether eight years under the adminis- trations of Pierce and Buchanan. He is a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and belongs to the St. Bernard Society.
Patrick Donnelly was married April 30, 1846, to Miss Catherine Gallagher and to them were granted seven children: John and James, who died when quite young; Charles (., of whom mention is made on another page; two who died in infancy un- named; JJames, at home with his parents, and Clar- ence, who is Registrar Clerk in the Postoffice. Mrs. Donnelly departed this life July 21, 1889, when a little past threescore years and ten.
Mr. Donnelly published in 1861 a chart called "Donnelly's Perpetual Union Almanac and Yearly
267
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Indicator," dating back to the year 1700 and car- ried to 8099. Ile is also the author of a table showing the occurrence of Easter from 1700 to 8099, or to time indefinite. This table is most in- geniously gotten up and shows very plainly that our subjeet spent much time in its construction. A man of intelligence, reliable in his citizenship, honorable in his dealings with his fellow-men and kindly in social and domestic life, he is regarded with a due measure of esteem by those about him.
HARLES CARROLL DONNELLY. This name will be at once recognized by the majority of our readers as that of one of the most enterprising citizens of Lancaster. He is carrying on an extensive business as a paper hanger, and during the busy season gives employment to sixteen men. He is also a talented musician and for many years has been President of the Clemmens City Band. and Manager of the Iroquois Band. The son of Patrick and Catherine (Gallagher) Donnelly, he was born in the city of Lancaster August 18, 1850. For a full account of the par- ental history, the reader is referred to the sketeh of Patrick Donnelly, which appears on another page in this volume.
Charles C., of this sketch, acquired his primary education in the public schools of his native city, after which he attended Professor Davis' private academy. After completing his education he ap- prentieed himself to learn the trade of paper hanger under the instruction of his uncle. Later he associated himself with J. B. Martin & Co., large dry goods and wall paper merchants of this place, with whom he remained for nineteen years, or un- til embarking in business for himself in the year 1891. He is the proprietor of a good establishment, carrying a full line of handsome wall paper, and employes a large force of men in the spring and fall of the year.
Mr. Donnelly is widely known through this
section as a fine musician and has been President and Manager of the Iroquois Band ever since its organization in 1888. In 1892 he was made the recipient of a handsome gold medal by the citi- zens of Laneaster, as a token of their appreciation of his services rendered the band, which is one of the finest in the country. The medal consists of a bar bearing his name and is beautifully engraved. Our subject is one of the sturdiest supporters of the Democratic party, on which ticket he is the present candidate for the position of Director of the County Poor Farm. In rehgion Mr. Donnelly is a devout Catholic and belongs to St. Michael's Beneficial and the St. John's Societies. Ile is also a working member of St. Anthony's and other societies. He is connected with the Schiller Club, which meets in Turner Hall, and is prominent in all good work in which his church is interested. Mr. Donnelly was one of the members of the old Volunteer Union Fire Company, and as an intel- ligent and well educated young man, is well calculated to win the respect and esteem of all whom he encounters, either in business or social circles.
J OHIN W. HIESS, M. D., one of the largest general practitioners in Lancaster, is a gen- tleman of extended knowledge, both in the leading affairs and interests of the day and in the line of his life work. He has been emi- nently successful in his use of electricity for the treatment of many forms of disease, particularly those of the nerves, and was one of the first phy- sicians in the county to recognize the great use- fulness of this factor in the healing art, as he has employed it since 1868. Believing that the best results follow when a physician personally attends to putting up his own prescriptions, he has a well equipped office and carries out this idea.
The birth of Dr. Hess occurred March 7, 1840, near the village of Lampeter, Lancaster County, and his father, Daniel S., was born in the same
268
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).
vicinity. The less family is of Swiss descent, and its members have been generally sturdy and industrious farmers. The Doctor's father during his active life was a prosperous agriculturist on his farm situated in East llempfield Township, on the Columbia Pike, near this city. He died when in his sixtieth year on his homestead. His wife, Barbara, was born in Manor Township, and was a daughter of Dr. John Witmer, who was a farmer and a physician in the early days. Ilis death oc- curred on his farm in Manor Township, about three and a-half miles west of this place. Mrs. Hess became the mother of twelve children, all but three of whom are still living, and of these J. W. is the eldest. The mother was called from this life when she had reached the age of sixty-five years.
After completing his comnion school education Dr. Hess attended the Millersville Normal for two years, and when eighteen years of age began study- ing medicine with Dr. A. M. Cassidy, of Millers- ville. In 1861 he entered the Medical Depart- ment of the New York University, where he passed two years in study, and then was enrolled with the pupils of Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1861. On first beginning his practice, he returned to Millers- ville, and for two years was a partner with his former preceptor. In 1863 Dr. Hess reponded to the emergency call, being placed in the Fortieth Pennsylvania Militia, under Colonel Wickersham. For about eleven years he continued in practice alone in Millersville, building up a good reputa- tion as a physician. In the fall of 1876 he came to Lancaster, and has found his time amply oc- cupied with the constant demands which are made upon it by his many clients and patrons. Hle makes a specialty of general family practice, hav- ing little to do with surgical cases.
The Doctor owns a pleasant and well built resi- denee at No. 25 South Prince Street, which home is presided over by his amiable wife, formerly Miss Sarah A. Baer, to whom he was united in marriage in the year 1865, in this city. Mrs. Iless was born in East Ilempfield Township, and is a daughter of Martin Baer. Since 1873 Dr. Iless
has been a member of Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., and is also identified with Chapter No. 43, R. A. M .; Council No. 19, and with Commandery No. 13, K. T., and the Lodge of Perfection. He also be- longs to the Knights of Pythias. Ilis right of suffrage he uses in favor of the principles es- poused in the Republican party and the nominees which it sets fortlı.
1
9 LI B. POWL, one of the leading liverymen
doing business in Lancaster, was born April 2, 1854, near Neffsville, the son of Isaac Powl, who was also a native of Lancaster County. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and moving to Laneaster in 1864, operated a hotel. Ile later sold his hotel and operated a livery busi- ness, which he began on a small scale and gradually increased. In 1866 he built and located where our subject is now doing business. In October, 1884, he sold the business to our subject and the follow- ing April died. Politically, our subject's father was a Republican and in religious matters was a believer in the Mennonite faith. The Powl family were among the old style German families.
Our subject's mother was Barbara (Buckwalter) Powl, a native of Lancaster County, where her father was a farmer. Our subject's father and mother were each married twice, and of their last marriage our subject was born, he being the elder of two children. He was reared and educated at Lancaster, and grew into the business he now fol- lows, by degrees, and the last ten years of his father's life, the son had charge. His livery stable is 60x96 feet in size and two stories high, provided with a hand elevator. It is located at No. 14 East Walnut Street, and his residence is next door. This is a first class livery business and they are able to turn out thirty rigs, fifteen hacks and three hearses.
Our subject was married at Laneaster, in August, 1878, to Miss Alice C. Henry, a native of Lancas-
269
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ter and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Henry. Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of two children: Isaac Benjamin and Theodore Franklin. Mr. Powl is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a char- ter member of Herschel Lodge. Politically he is a firm believer in the general principles of the Re- publican party.
T OBLAS STEHIMAN is the owner of the old mansion home in Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, which now has within its boundaries one hundred and three acres, and m addition to this he owns an adjoining tract of one hundred and sixty aeres. For years he bore the reputation of being one of the most extensive and progressive agriculturists in the township, and in 1882 he retired from his active career to make his home in Millersville, where he purchased a sub- stantial brick residence and is living on the fruits of his former years of toil and well directed ef- forts. Mr. Stehman is a son of Tobias and Martha (Detrich) Stehman, and was born July 17, 1817, in Conestoga Township, of this county. His great- grandfather, Joseph, came with his large family from Germany prior to the War of the Revolution and became one of the pioneer farmers of Cones- toga Township, owning extensive tracts of land, which he cleared and greatly improved. One of his sons, Tobias, the grandfather of our subject, owned five hundred acres of land in Conestoga Township, and, like his father, was a devoted mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. His family com- prised six children: Elizabeth, Catherine, Fannie, Rebecca, John and Tobias.
Tobias Stehman, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead and became the owner of a farm comprising three hundred aeres in the same township. Ile was also a member of the Lu- theran Church and devoted to his well founded convictions of right and duty. Ile wasalways pres-
ent to cast his vote on election days, as a true citi- zen should do, and was a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. By his marriage he became the father of three sons and one daughter, of whom our subject is the eldest. Henry D. died in 1890, aged sixty-five years; Jacob, a farmer of Conestoga Township, owns two farms in that locality; Martha, wife of John Mylen, of Willow Strect, died in 1889. when about seventy-two years of age.
In the early years of our subject he received practical instruction in the duties of farm life, and while still a boy learned to shoe horses and do gen- eral blacksmith work. Until 1881 his busy and useful life was passed in carrying on his large farm in the township where his birth occurred. He is practical and progressive in his methods of con- ducting a farm and laid up a large fortune, an abundance for his remaining years, He has always been a stanch advocate of the Democratic party and in religious belief is a member of the Lutheran Church, being an Elder in the Mt. Zion Congrega- tion of Millersville.
In 1833 Mr. Stehman married Mary Milyn, by whom he had one son, Henry M., who died Sep- tember 17, 1889, aged thirty-three years. The faithful wife of our subject was called from this life in September, 1884, when in her seventieth year. Her father, Christian Milyn, was formerly a resident of Rock Ilill and carried on a milling business there for many years.
D AVID LANDIS, a well known citizen of Millersville, owns and erected a handsome residence in which he now lives retired from active cares in this place. This is one of the finest home properties in the village, the lawn sur- rounding the home being well kept, and the whole bespeaking the careful attention and thrift of the proprietor. For thirty years our subject was act- ively engaged in agricultural pursuits on his farm in Pequea Township, Lancaster County, and since
270
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1876 has made his home on his present location. which comprises two and a-half acre- within its boundaries.
David Landis was born October 13, 1823, in Con- estoga Township, which is now embraced within the limits of Pequea Township. On the paternal side he is the descendant of a noted family in this portion of Pennsylvania, who bought land at a very early day. having been driven by religious intolerance from their native country, Switzerland, to seek a refuge in this the land of freedom and liberty. The parents of our subject were John and Anna (Hoover) Landis, formerly well known citi- zens of Conestoga Township, where the father was engaged in farming. Our subject, like most of his ancestors, has been mainly interested in tilling the soil and in the cultivation of his farm. In early life he resided in Manor Township for some years, and after his marriage became a farmer in Pequea Township. where he became owner of some two hun- dred and ten acres. For three decades he was ex- tensively engaged in general farming and stock- raising, making a success of his ealling. For near- ly twenty years he has been living in Millersville in his commodious and well furnished home.
A member of the Mennonite Church, in the faith of which he was reared. he is devoted to its tenets and is also much interested in educational matters. having served for a number of terms as School Di- rector in Pequea Township, and was one of the or- ganizers of and a stockholder in the New Danville Pike. He deposits his ballot in favor of the nom- inees and principles set forth by the Republican party, and is a patriotic and respected citizen of these parts.
In December, 1845. David Landis married Fan- nie Mayer. Her father, Martin Mayer, was form- erly a leading farmer and minister of Manheim Township and is now deceased. His death of- curred in 1872. Five children were born to David and Fannie Landis, as follows: Urias, who ched in childhood; Mary A .. Fannie; Amos. who married Lizzie, daughter of Amo- Herr. of Lam- peter Township, and Lizzie, who died in infancy. Amos, the only living son of this family, is an en- terprising young agriculturist of Pequea Town- ship, and is there engaged in carrying on the old
homestead still owned by his father. Mary A. is deceased, and Fannie, who is living with her par- ents in Millersville, has received excellent ed- ucational and general advantages. David Landis inherits the business qualifications and the honest and sturdy hardihood of a long line of most in- dustrions and honorable ancestors.
H ENRY BOWMAN carries on a first-class general store at Millersville. Lancaster County. lle has a well selected stock, and by his courteous and genial treatment of his cus- tomers has won many friends in this community. and his trade is continually increasing. lle is a son of Jacob and Susan (Grabill) Bowman. and is a native of Lancaster, where his birth occurred October 27. 1835. The Bowman family located m this region during the last century, having come with a German colony. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Ephrata. of this county, was a good business man and possessed consider- able wealth at the time of his death. Ile conducted a fine farm and at the same time engaged in hotel- keeping. Ilis home was on the Downingtown branch of the Lancaster Pike, which was then largely traveled between Philadelphia and Pitts- burg, and there he continued to live until his death. at the ripe old age of ninety years. He was a member of the Dunkard Church and was a true patriot. taking part in the militia service and being much interested in the success of the Whig party, with which he was identified. For his wife he married Elizabeth Baer and to them were born the following children: Jacob. Abram. Jonas. David, Mary, Elizabeth, Julia, Maria, Sarah and Hannah. The family are noted for longevity. The mother died at the age of eighty-eight years and her children's ages at their demise averaged eighty years.
Jacob Bowman, the father of our subject, was the eldest son of his family; he was born at Ephrata
271
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and followed agricultural pursuits, dealing con- siderably in real estate. The early part of his life he lived in this locality, but later removed to Lan- caster and thence to Delaware, his death occurring in Wilmington. In that city he served on the Council and was an ardent Whig. By his marriage with Susan Grabill he had a family of five chil- dren, William, who resides at Battle Creek, Mich .; Henry; Charles, and Julia and Susan, who died in childhood. Jacob Bowman was stricken with the cholera in 1849, when in his forty-sixth year, and died of that dread disease.
The early education of our subject was received in the common schools of Lancaster, and at the early age of fourteen years he became associated with his cousin, B. B. Martin, in general merchan- dising at Millersville, continuing thus for four years. At the end of that time he became a part- ner in the firm of Bowman & Martin, continuing for two years as such, and on the expiration of that time bought Mr. Martin's interest, since which time he has conducted the business in his own name. Few men in the community have devoted themselves more steadily and industriously to one line of business than has Mr. Bowman, who has been engaged in commercial pursuits in this place for about half a century. Hle is therefore very well known, and this record would be surely in- complete without this brief tribute to his worth. In his place of business may be found everything usually carried in a first-class country store.
September 20, 1860, Mr. Bowman married Elza- beth Shenk. Her father, Jacob K., who was a well-to-do farmer of Lancaster County, is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowman four children have been born: Charles E., who married Miss Mary Newpher, and assists in the management of his father's store; Henry L., who is engaged in the steel works at Pittsburg; Jacob S., at home at the present writing, and Mary, who has been given an excellent musical education and is a teacher of the art in the Spruce Street Academy of Phila- delphia.
A loyal citizen, Mr. Bowman never fails to cast his vote either at the primaries or regular elec- tions, and is a stanch Republican. For a number of years he was a Trustee in the Millersville State
Normal School, and has been interested in the cause of education. At the present time he is a Director in the Farmers' Bank of Lancaster. Ever since 1876 he has been an Elder in the Lutheran Church, and for the past twenty years has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is strictly honorable and conscientious in the dis- charge of his duties in life, and those who know him best have the utmost confidence in his genu- ine trustworthiness.
J ACOB RIEKER has for nearly forty years been one of the respected citizens of Lancas- ter, having arrived here with his young wife in 1857, and has ever since made this his place of abode. Ile has a fine market at Nos. 39 and 41 East Vine Street, where he has succeeded in building up one of the best trades in the city. In everything that pertains to the general welfare he takes a very active part and has never regretted the decision he made to permanently settle in Lancaster at the time he first visited the place. lle was favorably impressed at that early day and believed that a great future of prosperity was in store for this region. Mr. Rieker is of German ancestry, his father, Fred, having been born in Wurtemberg, in which province his own birth took place, March 12, 1825. The father was a tavern keeper and also a butcher and was engaged in business during all his lifetime in Wurtemberg. He married Margaret Rieker and had a family of the following children: Frederick, Margueretta, Joanna, Catrina and Louisa. The father, who was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, died in 1839, at the age of forty-six years, while his wife's death occurred when she was about sixty years old.
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.