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 35
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The subject of this sketch was born on the old homestead in Manor Township, where he remained until attaining the age of eighteen years. Ile then began an apprenticeship to the coach making busi- ness with his brother John, and subsequently learn- ed and worked at pattern-making. In the mean- time he employed his leisure moments in the study of dentistry with Dr. Josiah Martin, of Strasburg, this county. In 1856 he began the practice of his profession at Millersville, which continues to be his home at the present time. Great advance has been made in dentistry during the last quarter of a century, perhaps more than in any other profession, and the Doctor has not been behind his brothers in discoveries and im- provements, and was one of the founders and pro- moters of the Harris Dental Association of Laneas- ter County, which was organized June 21, 1867, and the State Dental Association was also formed largely through his efforts. In many local industries the Doctor has also been active both with his influence and means, and was one of the original stockhold- ers of the Millersville State Normal, having been a member of the Board of Trustees from 1856 to 1866, and was Treasurer for a period of seventeen years. As Chairman of the Committee on In- struction and Discipline from the organization of the institution, he served for nearly forty years, and still occupies the same position, and has been a member of the Finance and Executive Commit- tees. Thus it will be seen that in every possible way he has furthered and fostered this important educational institution. For five years he leased and controlled the Lancaster and Millersville Street Railway, which was in an embarrassed condition until he placed it on a sound financial basis. For a number of years he devoted considerable atten- tion to agriculture, but his other interests gradually encroached upon this branch of work, though he
owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Manor Township, and sinee retiring from his pro- fession has devoted much of his time to its culti- vation, making a specialty of raising tobacco.
The wife of our subject was formerly Mana, daughter of Christian Hlabecker, of Manor Town- ship, and they have two living. children: Frank. at home, and Ira, a graduate of the Dental Depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania. Ile gradu- ated in 1884 and is now practicing his profession in Millersville. Ile married Elizabeth Yecker, of Lancaster. Lizzie, the only daughter of the Doc- tor, died in 1863. Our subject was one of the found- ers and promoters of the Conestoga Bank, of which he is at present Vice-President and one of the stockholders. In his political opinions he is a Republican and is a liberal contributor to charit- able organizations.
I EORGE M. MYERS is the accommodating and very popular proprietor of the Relay House, at the corner of Prince and Wal- nut Streets, Lancaster. This hostelry is well kept up, and for its moderate price and numerous ad- vantages is one of the best to be found in the city. The manager has been running the same about three years, but during this short time has made a host of friends among his customers, who always return to the place of his hospitality whenever circumstances permit.
Mr. Myers was born in Phoenixville, Pa., March 22, 1859, and his father, Rodger Myers, was born in Lancaster in 1831. The paternal grandfather, whose given name was Mathias, was likewise a na- tive of this city, and followed his trade as a lock- smith on North Prince Street. During the Semi- nole and Florida War, he went into the service with Captain Downing. His death occurred at tlie age of forty-five years, and he was to the last a faithful member of the Reformed Church. His wife, Ann Maria, a native of Lancaster, was the
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daughter of George Roth, who in former years ran a hotel on the site of the Relay House. Rodger Myers was a brick layer by occupation and a con- tractor, later becoming a furnace builder. For fif- teen and a-half years he resided at Phoenixville, where he had charge of the furnace department. and after his return to this eity was manager of the furnaces of the Lancaster Manufacturing Com- pany, which he erected on the same plan as those of the Pennsylvania Iron Company. After a cer- tain length of time he left that occupation and re- turned to his contract and building work, being still in that calling. Ilis wife, who was before her marriage Mary Hardy, was born in Lebanon, and was reared in Reading. She became the mother of seven children, six of whom are living, and was called from this life in 1886.
George M. Myers, who was the eldest child of his parents, was reared in Phoenixville, and was given good public and high school advantages. Ile came to this place in 1871, and in his early youth spent some time in the tobacco business. At the age of nineteen he was apprentieed to the brick layer's trade. learning also furnace and house building. Going to Long Branch, he did consid- erable work in that locality in partnership with another man, and built the Monmouth Park race course, which has the finest track in the world. Later he became foreman of briek work on bridges and arches on the Trenton cutoff of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. Prior to this, however, he had been for two years a Patrolman of the police force under Mayor Edgerly, of Lancaster. In Novem- ber, 1891, he became proprietor of the Relay Ilouse, and is still engaged in running this popular hotel. There are seventeen rooms, and the terms are only $1.50 per day. Everything is kept up in good shape and in a neat, clean and homelike manner.
March 23, 1886. Mr. Myers was married in this city to Miss Ida Broom, who was born in Phila- delphia, and was reared to womanhood in Lancas- ter. Iler father, William Broom, who was a plaster- er, was in the Civil War for three years, and is now deceased. For six years Mr. Myers was the Treas- urer and Corresponding Secretary in the Brick Layers Union, Lancaster Branch, and is a member
of the Artisans Assembly No. 27. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 88. K. of P., of Inland City and the I'niformed Rank K. of P., No. 7. Politieally his sympathies and votes go in favor of the Republican party.
MOS MCCALLISTER is one of the oldest settlers of Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, and for the past eight years has lived a retired life. He is of Irish descent, and his grandfather, Archibald MeCallister, who was born in Canada, emigrated to this locality, where he settled in the last century. Ile was a tailor by trade and was engaged at that oceupation nearly all of luis life. At one time he was Superintendent of the County Alms Ilouse, and religiously was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was an adherent of the principles advo- cated by the Whig party. By his marriage with Christiana Ilockman he had six children, namely : Jaeoh, Isaac, John, Elizabeth, Susan and Christiana. His death occurred in the year 1829, after a long and active life.
Jacob MeCallister, the eldest son of Archibald, was born in Martie Township, and later became an inhabitant of what is now Pequea Township. For over fifty years he was the owner of a good farm in that township, and in his last years retired from the arduous cares pertaining to its operation. By his marriage with Miss Barbara Snavely he has three children : Mary, wife of Peter Snevely; Amos and Nancy, deceased. Prior to the formation of the Republican party he was a Whig, and subse- quently espoused the principles of the latter or- ganization, and for one term or four years served as County Commissioner.
The subject of this sketch was born in Cones- toga, now Pequea Township, December 3, 1817, and received a common school education. Ile at- tended the neighboring district schools until reach- | ing the age of fourteen years, when he engaged in
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agricultural pursuits, and to that occupation has given nearly all of his time and energies since. The farm where he has made hus home for so many years comprises one hundred and eight acres, on which are grown year by year good harvests which yield a substantial income to the owner. The place, one of the best in the township, has well built fences, barns and a comfortable residence.
In December, 1811, Mr. MeCallister was united in marriage with Fannie Iless, who was born in this neighborhood, and by this union a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, has been born. In the order of their birth they are named as follows: JJacob, Isaac; Barbara, Mrs. Over- holtzer; Mary, Mrs. Mann; John; Lizzie, who died in childhood; Amos and Susan.
Like his father before him, Mr. McCallister sup- ports by his ballot the Republican party. Like all true patriots he is interested in educational affairs, and believes in giving the best possible advantages to the children of the rising generation. For four terms he served as a School Director in Conestoga Township, and in that capacity used his best en- deavors to secure well equipped schools and com- petent teachers. In religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His life is molded on the precepts of the Bible. and he tries to do his duty by his fellow-men.
ACOB LEONARD SPRIGEL, one of the young and enterprising business men of Lancaster, has a good location at Nos. 301 and 303 North Lime Street, where he established himself in 1890. Though his business career covers scarcely more than five or six years, he has already shown unusual commercial ability, and is making a good success of his large confectionery business. He gives employment to upwards of ten persons con- stantly, and his trade is rapidly increasing.
The parents of our subject are John and Sarah Jane (Simpkins) Sprigel, and at the time of his
birth, which occurred September 13, 1866, the fan- ily were making their home in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County. The founder of the Sprigel family in this portion of this country was one Michael, who was a native of Germany. and in his boyhood crossed the Atlantic, settling in New York State near the Pennsylvania line. He learned the trade of weaving near Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson, and followed that calling during his early life in the vicinity of that place. Of his two sons, the elder went to Ohio, where he perma- nently settled, while the younger, Michael, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born near Poughkeepsie, and like his father, learned the weaver's trade, which he followed in order to obtain a livelihood. Later in life his home was near Ephrata, in this county, and there his death occurred. Ile was a member of the Reformed Church, and a man who had the respect of his friends and neighbors. For his wife he chose a Miss Troup, of English descent, and to them were born seven children. The grandfather's death occurred when he was about sixty years of age, while his wife passed away when in her fortieth year.
John Sprigel was born near Ephrata about 1820, and learned the carpenter's trade in that place. For many years subsequently he was a resident of Upper Leacock Township, and since 1876 has lived in Lancaster. In politics he is a Republican, and socially belongs to the Odd Fellows' society and the Independent Order of Red Men. To himself and wife have been born eight children, as follows: Mary, Mrs. Kitzen; John Albert, deceased; Sarah J. and Annie, who are unmarried; Charles, deceased; J. Leonard; Elizabeth and Adam, deceased. The parents are honored residents of this city, and are still actively interested in the Reformed Church, to which they belong.
The early years of our subject were passed on his father's farm in this county, where he received an elementary education in the district school. Upon the family's removal to Lancaster he became a stu- dent in its public schools and afterwards entered the Keystone Business College of Philadelphia, where he laid the foundation of his practical knowledge of commercial affairs. Soon after com-
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pleting his studies he commenced serving an ap- prenticeship in the confectionery business in the Quaker City, and his time was thus occupied for the next three years. After some time passed as a journeyman he engaged in business for him- self in Philadelphia, where he was located for about a year. It was in 1890 when he came to Lancas- ter, and in the few years that have passed he has met with good success in his undertakings.
Mr. Sprigel is a member of Moravian Sun Lodge No. 99, K. M .; belongs to Herschel Lodge, I. O. O. F., and George Shifler Council No. 117, Jr. O. T. A. M. In political affairs he is a loyal Re- publican, and is an active member of the Citi- zens' Republican Club. April 7, 1880, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Sprigel and Miss Kath- erine, daughter of David loyer, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Sprigel, who is highly accomplished and well educated, was born in the Quaker City and there grew to maturity.
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DWARD T. FRAIM is the owner and pro- prietor of the Keystone Lock Works and is engaged in the manufacture of several kinds of padlocks on which he has patents. Ile is a man of genius and is one of the very few pat- entees who have secured a fortune by means of | their own invention. Ile established and has ear- ried on his now large and lucrative manufacturing trade and has a fine plant at No. 237 Park Ave- nue, Laneaster. Mr. Fraim was born in this city February 18, 1857. llis paternal great-grandfather was a native of Scotland and was one of the early settlers in this locality. His son Miller. the grand- father of our subject, was born in Lancaster and was a successful confectioner until his death, which occurred here.
Samuel D. and Annie E. (Kuhns) Fraim, the parents of our subject, were likewise born in this place and here grew to maturity. The father was an iron founder and in 1857 removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked at his trade and later estab-
lished a foundry and machine shop there, being a member of the firm of Johnson & Fraim. He con- tinued actively in business until his death, in De- cember, 1868, when he died suddenly in the prime of life, being in his forty-first year. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Kuhns, a native of Lancaster, who in the early days was a distiller and later be- came a brick manufacturer. He was of German descent, a member of the Reformed Church, and his death occurred in Lancaster when he was about sev- enty-two years of age. The mother of our subject is still living, making her home in Dayton, and after the death of Mr. Fraim she married E. J. Zahn, of Lancaster, who died some eight years later. Of her four children, one is a daughter and the others are sons. The former, Clara, is Mrs. Van Ilorn, of Dayton; Edward T. is next in order of birth; Miller W. is a member of the firm of Rosen- stein & Fraim, of this city, and Parker is with the same firm.
Edward T., of this sketch, was reared in Dayton, Ohio, until the year 1875, receiving a common school education and attending the commercial college of that place. In 1875 he came to this his birthplace and served a four years' apprenticeship to the jeweler, E. J. Zahn. After finishing the trade he engaged in the locksmith business and finally secured a patent on a padlock in 1881, which has met with a wide sale. For some years he was engaged in partnership with his brother Miller, his manufactory being situated on Cherry Alley. In 1884 he removed from Fulton Street, where he had been situated for a time, and en- gaged in manufacturing on Park Avenue, where hic still remains. The building has a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet, is thirty-four feet deep and has a basement and two stories. The foundry adjoining is 40x60 feet and there Mr. Fraim manu- factures brass castings. In the main building the basement is used for storage, the first floor as a ma- chine shop, shipping room and office, and the second floor for the finishing and polishing rooms. Mr. Fraim superintends the whole business in its various departments, keeps three salesmen on the road and employs in the shop from sixty-five to seventy-five men. Ile has patented about a dozen locks all told, but makes a specialty of his padlock. In 1888 his
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brother withdrew from the firm and he has since carried on the business alone, constantly enlarg- ing it and finding it necessary to do so in order to meet his increase in trade.
In 1877 Mr. Fraim was married in this city to Miss Bella Fairer. Mrs. Fraim was born in this city and is a daughter of Absalom Fairer, who for years was keeper at the court house. Mr. and Mrs. Fraim have become the parents of two sons, Sam- uel and Walter, and their pleasant home at No. 621 North Duke Street was built by our subject. He is a Republican politically, also a member of the Royal Arcanum. Ile also belongs to the Ilard- ware Club, of New York City, in which manufact- urers and dealers in hardware are interested. Ile and his wife attend St. Paul's Reformed Church, of which they are valued members.
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D AVID STONE RETTEW, President of the Common Council of Lancaster, is held in good repute as a man of intelligence, uprightness and cordial spirit. He is very prom- inent in his ward, and in February, 1894, was elected on the Republican ticket to the Council by the largest majority ever accorded a candidate. Hle is also Superintendent of the manufacturing department of the Jacob Ilarnish Carpet House in this city.
Our subject was born in this county in West Earl Township, May 15, 1837, and is the son of Samuel Rettew, a native of Chester County, this state, and in turn the son of William Rettew, a farmer of English and French descent. The great- grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which conflict he ac- quitted himself with honor. The father of our subject, after his marriage, located in West Earl Township, where he engaged in farm pursuits until 1852, when he sold his estate and made his home with our subject until his decease in 1876, at the age of seventy-two years. Ile was a good Chris-
tian gentleman and a devoted member of the Re- formed Church. He married Miss Susan, daughter of David Stone, a large landowner and successful agriculturist of this section. Mr. Stone was a man prominent in politics, and at one time served as Auditor of Lancaster County. He was a Whig, and a member of the Reformed Church, in the faith of which he departed this life in 1862. The mother of our subject died in 1855, beloved by all who knew her.
The parental family included four children, of whom David S. was the eldest. Ile was reared on his father's farm, and until sixteen years of age at- tended the common schools. He then entered the woolen mill of the late George Levan, where he learned the trade, and in 1864, in company with Solomon Groff, bought out Mr. Levan and ran the business for eleven years with fair success. At the expiration of that time he sold out and purchased a half-interest in a general merchandise store in New Holland, which was operated under the firm name of Hull & Rettew. This partnership existed for two years, when our subject disposed of his share, and in 1878 located in Lancaster. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Rettew had been elected by the Board of Prison Inspectors as underkeeper at the county prison, which position he held for two years; he then entered the employ of Harnish & Co., dry goods and carpet manufacturers, having charge of the carpet department. He has been in the employ of the company for the past fourteen years and gives perfect satisfaction in discharging his duties as Superintendent. Ile is connected with the Peo- ple's Building and Loan Association and is held in the highest esteem, possessing the confidence of all with whom he has dealings.
David Stone Rettew was married in this city in 1860 to Miss Susan, daughter of Daniel Man- ning, a farmer of Manor Township, this county. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born four children: William, engaged in the dry goods business in Norfolk, Va .; Sarah, at home with her parents; Ella, the wife of A. L. Hornish, and David, at home.
In 1862 our subject enlisted in Company B, Tenth Pennsylvania State Militia, and with his regiment participated in the Battle of Antietam.
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On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged and returned home. In 1890 he was elected to the Common Council from the Second Ward on the Republican ticket, and in 1893 was made President of the Board, and was re- elected to the same office the following year. So- cially he is a Mason, belonging to Council No. 19, Commandery, No. 13 K. T., and Lodge of Perfec- tion. He is likewise connected with Herschel Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F., and Washington Encampment, No. 11. Hle belongs to the Knights of the Mystic Shrine, of which he is District Deputy, and is a member of the JJunior Order of United American Mechanies, holding membership with Lancaster Council No. 912. He is a past officer and member of the Committee of Law and State Body in the Knights of Malta, which he has represented to the Grand Lodge. He is a member of the Reformed Church and in politics is a true blue Republican.
ILLI AM J. ZIEGLER has for about twenty years been an employe of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad as agent at Lancaster. From his early years he has been engaged in railroading, and has made a trust- worthy and responsible business man. Ile was born October 15, 1845, at Columbia, Lancaster County, being a son of John and Margaret (Jen- kins) Ziegler, who came from old families and pioneers of this locality, and were much respected citizens.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Francis Ottamor Ziegler, was born in Alsace, France, in 1750, and came to this country with Baron Steuben, taking part in the Revolutionary War and having the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Afterwards he located in Lancaster, where he married Mary Fran- ces llook, who was born here in 1760. Mr. Zieg- ler was a silversmith by trade and followed his calling in Baltimore, and later in Columbia, where he died in 1800. Ilis son George, the grandfather
of William J., of this sketch, was born in Balti- more and learned the cooper's trade. He was a member of the Catholic Church, and politically was an old line Whig. By his first wife, Margaret Sloot, he had eleven children, and by his second wife, Mary Hoover, had three children. John Ziegler, the father of our subject, was the fourth in order of birth of the family of the first wife; he was born February 3, 1816, and died April 3, 1893. July 29, 1841, he married Margaret Jenkins, and their golden wedding was celebrated in 1891.
The boyhood of William J. Ziegler was passed at the place of his birth, where he received a regular school education until thirteen years of age. Ile then went with his father to Cincinnati for a short time and afterwards to Pittsburg, where the former was in the employ of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad for some time. Later the youth went to Baltimore. becoming an opera- tor on the Northern Central Railroad, and served in that capacity during the war. It was a very responsible position at that time, but he discharged his duties with discretion and fidelity, being later transferred to Manheim, where he was in the em- ploy of the Reading & Columbia Railroad, now a branch of the Philadelphia & Reading. At the expiration of five years he worked for the Ilunt- ingdon & Broad Top Railroad at Saxton, Pa., for nearly three years, and during that time he con- tracted the fever and ague and was obliged to give up his place. Upon recovering his health to some extent Mr. Ziegler came to Lancaster and was made agent of what is now the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. This place he has ably filled for two decades, and is considered one of the most straight- forward and business-like agents in the employ of the company. IJe is also at present in charge of the United States Express agency at this point and in this also gives good satisfaction.
January 10, 1871, Mr. Ziegler married Anna Elizabeth, daughter of David Wolf, who did val- iant service during the late Civil conflict, and whose life paid the penalty for his patriotism in the Danville Prison. Prior to the war he had been a successful hotel-keeper and was a much respected man. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler have had six children : Mary P., John D., Harry J., John D. (the second of
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the name), Josephine S. and Frank A. Both boys who bore the name of John D. have passed away. but the other members of the family are still under the parental roof and are receiving good educa- tional advantages. The father is a supporter of the Democratic party. and has been active in everything pertaining to its success. With his family he is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and contributes to worthy benevolent en- terprises.
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