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 36
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ILLIAM II. BATEMAN. This gentle- man, who is one of the oldest and most successful painters in Lancaster, has had a remarkable experience on sea and land. When a young man he served for three and one-half years as a sailor in the United States Navy and for a period of twelve years was on the waters. Ile has been a resident of this city for many years and has contributed to the general welfare of the community, who hold him in high esteem.
Born in Baltimore, Md., July 5, 1819, our sub- ject is the son of Wilham L. Bateman, also a na- tive of that city, as was also the grandfather, Ben- jamin Bateman. The latter was a teller in a bank in Baltimore and served efficiently as a soldier in the War of 1812. The great-grandfather of our subject came from England, and locating in Mary- land, became prominent in local affairs. The father of our subject during his later years came to Lan- caster, where his decease occurred at the age of eighty-four years. Hle also fought in the War of 1812 and distinguished himself for his bravery. Ile was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a worthy and influential citizen, highly respected throughout this county. He was married to Miss Catherine Dallas, also a native of Baltimore and of Scotch descent. She departed this life near her native city in 1832, at the age of thirty-five years,
ing. Ilis older brother. James S., served all through the late war, and died in 1891 in Asbury Park, N. J. William II., of this sketch, attended the public schools of Baltimore, and when a lad of sixteen years left home and went to sea on a merchant vessel. This was in 1835 and his first trip was made to London, England. He has visited nearly every port of importance in the world and rose from the humble position of cabin boy to be chief mate of his vessel. In 1836 Mr. Bateman enlisted in the United States Navy under Commo- dore Dallas, a relative of his mother's, on the "Con- stitution." Ile was afterwards changed to the vessel commanded by Commodore Seott and par- ticipated in the Seminole War. At one time they put ashore and aided the infantry in fighting the enemy. Mr. Bateman was for two years and six months on land in Florida, during which time he was Sergeant of his company. He was mustered out of service in the navy yard at Brooklyn, from the schooner "Flurd" and in 1840 was paid off. Our subject then returned to Baltimore, whence he went to New York and engaged to sail on the ship bound for Charleston, S. C., of which he was made chief mate.
In August, 1847, Mr. Bateman abandoned the life of a sailor, and coming to Laneaster, has been engaged in painting ever since and is the oldest workman at that trade in the city. For seventeen years he was in partnership with Michael McCul- lom, but after its dissolution, continued alone, Ile has been called upon to fill contracts in this and adjoining counties and has done work on many of the large and important buildings in this section, including the new almshouse, several col- lege buildings and St. Paul's Reformed Church. Ile gives employment to fifteen or twenty men and is considered an expert in his line.
William Il. Bateman was married in 1816 to Miss Annie Pontz, a native of this city and the daugh- ter of George Pontz, an old settler in this county. Mrs. Bateman ched in Baltimore in 1853, while in that place on a visit. She became the mother of four children, three of whom are living: William, Emily and Jacob. Our subject was again married. the lady on this occasion being Miss Mary 1.
The parental family included two sons and one daughter, of whom our subject is the only one liv- . Daugherty, and to them were granted the follow-
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ing children: John. Margaret, Kate, James, Ella, Edward, Walter, Mary and Sella. The three latter are deceased. Mrs. Bateman departed this life August 4, 1894.
Our subject has been prominent in school affairs and for three years served as Director from the Seventh Ward. Socially he belongs to Lancaster Lodge No. 67, 1. O. O. F., and Washington Encamp- ment No. 11. Ile is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held official positions. He is a true blue Republican in politics and always votes the straight ticket.
EV. EDWARD COOPER, A. M., M. D .. is pastor of the Presbyterian Memorial Church on South Queen Street, Lancaster, and though eighty years of age is still active and a worker in his Master's vineyard. In many parts of the United States he has a wide acquaintance among prominent and well known men, and in whatever community his lot has been passed his influence has been only felt for good. Residing at Atchison, Kan., during the years when the grass- hopper was literally a burden, he assisted in the distribution of provisions to the poor and needy in that afflicted state.
The birth of our subject occurred in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1814, and his father. Christian C., was also a native of the same county. llis paternal grandfather, whose given name was also Christian, was born in Germany, and became a farmer in Rensselaer County, where his death oc- curred. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and some of his brothers were in the Revolutionary War. Christian C. Cooper was in the War of 1812, and later was an officer in the New York Militia. Ihis wife, who in her girlhood was Mary Ensel, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. She was a daughter of Captain Ensel, a native of
Germany, who followed the sea and was lost in mid ocean. Mrs. Cooper, who was brought up by Anthony Boucher was a school-mate of Martin Van Buren.
Dr. Cooper of this sketch is the eldest of seven children, four of whom are living, and was reared on his father's farm. Ilis primary education was received in the public schools of the day, and his higher education was obtained in Fairfield Acad- emy, the New Brunswick (N. J.) College, which he left in the Junior year, and Umion College of Sche- nectady, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1839 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After leav- ing college he engaged in teaching at Phelps, On- tario County, N. Y., while pursuing the study of law with Judge Folyor. He took charge of Cayuga Academy at Aurora, and subsequently the Water- loo Academy. Both of these institutions, while he was Principal, became prominent centers of ed- ucation and commanded a large patronage. Dur- ing this period the subject of this sketch received the honorary degree of M. A. from three colleges.
In 1845 he was prominent in a state convention of teachers held at Syracuse, at which the New York State Teachers' Association was formed, of which he was the first Corresponding Secretary, and editor of the Teachers' Advocate, a weekly paper established as its organ. During its first year it gained circulation in every state of the Union, and was finally merged into the Quarterly Journal of Education and published in New York City. Mr. Cooper having purchased one-third of the Syracuse Daily Journal became its editor for some years, leaving it on account of his wife's ill health for a more southern climate. For two years he was President of a female college at New Al- bany, from which he was called to the Presideney of the Odd Fellows' Female College in Tennessee, at Paris, and was there ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church. He became pastor of the church in Brownsville and Principal of the Female Institute, one of the most flourishing schools in the western district of that state. Ile was aetive and influential in the canvass for the first conven- tion which was made for session, but the majority was against that ruinous measure. When the second convention was called, his congregation
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was regarded as decidedly opposed to the measure. It was deemed best to get him out of the way, and General Pillow sent a detachment for his arrest. Warned by friends, he left for the north a few hours ahead of its arrival, reaching Cincinnati in safety, and received a cordial welcome. Being very patriotic, Dr. Cooper made a great many speeches and succeeded in getting many recruits for the Union. During the first of the war he was pastor of a Presbyterian Church and Principal of the academy at Monroe, Butler County, Ohio, and in 1863 was commissioned by Governor Brough Chaplain of the Eighth Ohio Cavalry. Going south to Virginia, he was from that time all through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and participated in about forty battles and skirmishes. In August, 1865, he received an honorable dis- charge and was mustered out with his regiment.
Returning from southern battlefields to Bloom- ingburg, Fayette County, Ohio, Dr. Cooper took charge of the academy and church of that place for three years, after which he was made pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Atchison. occupying the pulpit for about nine years follow- ing, during which time he was also a member of the Board of Directors of Highland University, from which he received the degree of D. D. Being called to Cincinnati he took charge of the Mission- ary Department of the Presbyterian Board of Publications, as District Secretary for five synods, organized the work and continued for seven years in the discharge of its duties. Going next to St. Louis, the Doctor became editor of the St. Louis Evangelist, a paper published by the Presbyterian Newspaper Company, which he changed from a monthly to a weekly publication. At the end of five years the company bought the Mid Continent, of Kansas City, merged the two papers and made a grand success of the enterprise, which is still being carried on under the name of Mid Continent. After about six years of hard editorial work he sold out his interest and retired on account of ill health. In 1891 he came to this city to rest and traveled some in the east, but liis services were too valuable to be long unemployed, and he was unanimously called to take charge of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, for which he had occasionally preached.
The affairs of the church were in a run-down eondi- tion, but new life and energy have been infused in- to its workings; the building has been remodeled and a fine pipe organ placed in the church. The Sunday-school numbers two hundred and seventy- five pupils, and every department of church work is in a flourishing condition.
Rev. Mr. Cooper was first married in Fairfield. N. Y., to Miss Mary A. Raymond, by whom he had a family of six children. all of whom have passed to the better land. The present wife of our subject, whom he married in Lancaster, was Miss Louisa B. Bower, a native of Strasburg, Pa. Her energetie and faithful services in the church and community are gratefully appreciated. Dr. Cooper still continues to write for church and secular journals, and being well versed on the current affairs of the day, is not only an inter- esting writer, but an entertaining conversation- alist. Since 1845 he has been an Odd Fellow and helped to organize the Philadelphia Lodge in Syra- euse, and is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 5, in Atchison. Kan. Formerly a member of Ransom Post, G. A. R., of St. Louis, he is now identified with G. H. Thomas Post No. 84. of this city. A Whig and Abolitionist prior to the formation of the Re- publican party, he has since 1856 been a stanch sup- porter of the latter organization, but never ex- presses a political sentiment in the pulpit. His preaching is expository of the Scriptures and earn- estly vivacious in style of delivery.
I SRAEL P. MAYER, a prominent contractor and builder of Lancaster, is a native of this county, having been born in Hempfield, near Rohrerstown, February 25, 1850. He is the son of Henry Mayer, whose birth occurred on the Mayer farm, in Manheim Township adjoining the city. Grandfather Jacob Mayer was also a native of Lancaster County, and was a prominent farmer in his community. He was a devoted member of the
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Mennonite Church, and active in all good works. The great-grandfather of our subject owned six hundred acres of valuable farming land adjoining the city of Lancaster, besides a vast estate of one thousand acres in Maryland. He had four sons and three daughters, of whom three sons located in this county, and the remainder of the family made their home in Maryland.
Henry Mayer was in the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company for a number of years, having charge of the men repairing the tracks. Ile departed this life March 17, 1884, at his home in this county. Like his father before him he was a consistent member of the Mennonite Church. Ile was in his seventy-second year when he died, and was the youngest member of the family, his broth- ers and sisters all attaining a good old age. Hle was married to Miss Anna Hoefgen, born in Roh- rerstown, this county, and the daughter of Sebas- tian Hoefgen, who was born in Switzerland and came to America when a young man. He was a nail smith in the above place, and there made his home until his decease. The mother of our sub- ject is also deceased, passing away in 1882, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
The parental family of our subjeet included fourteen children, nine of whom grew to mature years, and named respectively: Ehzabeth, Maria, Christian, Abraham, John, Israel P., Anna, Samuel and Emma. During the late war Christian served in the Union ranks as a member of Company E, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, as Sergeant. Ilis regiment formed a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Mayer remained in the ranks for three years. Ile is now working for our sub- ject, and is an expert carpenter. He is prominent in Grand Army circles and is Colonel of Union Veteran Encampment No. 14.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and when eighteen years of age was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade in Landisville with a Mr. Bowers. He remained with him for two years, and after the first eight months received $1 per day. He was in the employ of different parties in that place until starting in business for himself in 1878. He has been very
successful as a contractor and builder and has erected some of the largest stores and finest resi- dences in Lancaster, among them being Hotel Lan- caster, Isaac Diller's store, Major Rohrer's store, Green Stone Row Terrace, West Chestnut Street School, and the residences of James and David Rose. Ile also did the carpenter work on the First Methodist Episcopal Church and the Western Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile built most of the residences in what is known as the North End, and constructed the crematory on Swinburn Island.
Our subject was married in Harrisburg in 1871, to Miss Elizabeth S. Dietrich, a native of Landis- ville, and the daughter of Samuel Dietrich. To them has been born a daughter, Anna E. In 1884 Mr. Mayer was elected to the Common Coun- eil, and re-elected for several years successively, until he refused to hold the office any longer. fle is an attendant at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities is a stanch Republican.
·H ENRY F. EBERMAN, M. D., is a successful practitioner, and a native of Lancaster, as were his father and grandfather before him. The family has been very promment in this locality, and in former generations bore a like reputation in the Fatherland. Our subject is a leading Republi- can, and in February, 1894, was elected City Coun- eilman from the First Ward, running at the head- of his ticket. For three terms, extending over a period of three years, he was a consulting physician of the Lancaster County Hospital, and has built up a lucrative and extensive practice in this city.
The Doctor's paternal grandfather, John, who was a man of considerable genius, made the large clock for the court house, which is used up to the present day, and carried on business at No. 215 North Prince Street. His father was a native of Ebermanstadt, Germany, and on coming to the New World settled in Lancaster, where he worked at his trade, which was also that of watch and clock making. Charles F., the father of our subject, was
FREDERICK BUCHER.
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born at No. 215 North Prince Street, and like the two generations preceding him, learned the trade of watch-making. For a few years he had a store on North Queen Street, but afterwards entered a political career. He was appointed a letter carrier, being the second one in the city, and afterwards was made clerk in the County Assessor's office. When the Assessor's office was merged into the United States Collector's office, he became the first Deputy Revenne Collector of the Ninth Pennsyl- vania District, working with C. Wiley and A. J. Kauffman until Cleveland's first term. Then re- signing he was later made Deputy Recorder under Messrs. Longenecker and E. L. Reinhold. ITis death, which occurred April 9, 1888, was from the effect of typhoid fever, and at that time he was in huis fifty-eighth year. Ile was a strong Republican, and a very active worker in the Moravian Church. His wife, Christina Erisman before marriage, was born on Chestnut Street, Lancaster, and is a daugli- ter of Daniel and Mary ( Royal) Erisman, also na- tives of this city. The former was a contractor and builder. His wife is still living at No. 237 West Chestnut Street. The mother of the Doctor makes her home with him, and of her six children only two are now living, the other, Naomi, being a teacher in the city schools.
Dr. Eberman was born at No. 241 West Chestnut Street, September 24, 1856. and here grew to man- hood, graduating from the high school in 1874. Ile began his medical studies with old DI. II. E. Muehlenburg, and in 1876 entered the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated three years later with the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine. In order to gain prac- tical experience, he was for the following year resi- dent physican of the Blockley, now the Philadelphia Ilospital. This equipped him finely for his future work, and in 1880 he engaged in general practice in this city, his office now being at No. 230 North Prince Street. He numbers among his clients many of the best families of the place, and from year to year his ability is becoming more generally recog- nized. A true Republican, he has been very active in the affairs of his party, and for seven years was clerk of the Fire Committee of the Council.
September 27, 1887, Dr. Eberman married Miss
Catherine A. llostetter, who was born in this county, and they have a little daughter, Dorothy F. Religiously they are Moravians and members of that church. Personally Dr. Eberman numbers many warm friends in all circles, and as he is very good natured and of a happy disposition his companion- ship is much coveted. He is very fond of hunting and fishing, is well equipped with everything nec- essary in those lines, and has a thoroughbred bird dog.
P REDERICK BUCHER. Among the wor- thy German-American citizens of Colum- bia is this gentleman, who has been a resi- dent of the place for over forty years, during which time he has become actively interested in its wel- fare and development and has long been classed among its leading merchants. Since 1836 his time has been devoted to his real estate interests, and as he has built many houses, he has literally been thus identified with the material growth of the place. At the present time he is the owner of over fifty houses which he rents, besides possessing a number of lots and other property in the locality.
On the 18th of September, 1830, Mr. Bucher was born in Deggingen. Wurtemberg, Germany, being a son of Joseph Max and Barbara ( Bernauer) Bucher. the former of whom was a prominent and well-to-do merchant. In 1853 our subject came to America, and three years later was followed by his brother Christian; and Max, another brother, crossed the Atlantic in 1858. Both of these broth- ers have since departed this life. Soon after his arrival Mr. Bucher located at Columbia and secured employment in Rumple's hardware store. Later he entered the employ of Ileury Phaler, of this place, with whom he remained until 1860. In that year he associated himself in business with J. W. Cottrell, and finally, in 1866, embarked in the gro- cery and hardware trade, in which lines he contin- ued for twenty years. In 1857 he made an ex- tended tour through the south and west, with the idea in view of finding a place in which to per- manently settle, under favorable circumstances, but
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ultimately returned to Columbia, believing that no better commercial center with greater future inter- ests could be found than here, and the wisdom of his decision has been confirmed.
In 1851 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bucher and Louisa, daughter of Michael Bartsch, of Chestnut Hill, Lancaster County. To our sub- jeet and wife have been born four children: Mary, Frederick. Amelia and William. The family have a pleasant home and enjoy the friendship of a wide circle of friends. The youngest son, William, is a drug clerk. and the elder, Frederick, is a student in the Medical Department of the State University of Pennsylvania.
Fraternally our subject is a member of the Odd Fellows' society, having joined Susquehanna Lodge No. 80, in 1856, in which he has passed through all the chairs. Since 1871 he has been identified with the Artisans' Order of Mutual Pro- tection, at Columbia, of which he is now Master Artisan, and he is also President of the Columbia Rod and Gun Club. He is a very active Repub- lican, and in 1894 was elected a member of the Borough Council from his ward. It is now a long time since Mr. Bucher was placed in the rank of Columbia's wealthy men, and he has been generous in the distribution of his means for the public good. lle is a Director in the Keeley Stove Works of this place, for a number of years served as Treasurer of the Columbia Laundry Machine Company, and was Treasurer of the New York Building and Loan Association at one time. In 1880 he visited the Fatherland and the most prominent points of interest in France, Germany and Italy. Although in his sixty-fourth year. he retains his youthful activity and energy of both mind and body and is affable and entertaining in conversation.
S AMUEL M. WRIGHT, a well known citi- zen and retired business man of Millers- ville, is a son of Thomas and Margaret (McCauley) Wright, and was born September 8. 1812, near Londonderry, County Donegal, Ire- land. Ilis father was of English and his mother
of Scotch descent. Having lost his father by death at a very early age, his mother, with her three children, Samuel M., Robert and Rebecca, emigrated to America in 1822 to join her father, who came to this country in 1810 and settled in the southern part of York County, Pa., where she lived until the time of her death, which occurred in 1858, at the age of seventy-five years.
The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion in the private schools of York County and Borough, after which he taught school for eight terms. Ile taught during the first six years of the existence of the present public school system. After retiring from the school room he was for several years connected with the mercantile busi- ness. From 1844 to 1850 he was bookkeeper for the Colemans at their Castle Finn forge in York County, Pa. In the fall of 1850 he was offered, and accepted, a position as accountant for Reeves, Abbott & Co., at their Safe Harbor Iron Works. IIe remained at these works for a period of thirty- two years, during which time he filled the position of bookkeeper, cashier and general manager. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Wright retired to private life, after spending so many years of arduous labor in the business world.
In polities our subjeet was a Henry Clay Whig, but at present is a stanch Republican and has been since the organization of the party, and has served twenty-five years as School Director of the Safe Harbor Independent District in Conestoga Town- ship. In religion he has always been a Presbyter- ian, having connected himself with the church of that denomination in Lower Chanceford Town- ship, York County, mn 1836. Socially Mr. Wright is a member of Conestoga Lodge, I. O. O F., of Safe Harbor.
Mr. Wright was united in marriage March 2, 1852, with Miss Susan A. Wright, a daughter of Benjamin and Susanna ( Buckwalter) Wright, late of Manor Township, by whom he had five chil- dren, as follows: Thomas C., Benjamin, William McCaulley, Emma R. and Robert, of whom Thomas C. and Emma R. survive and are living at home. Thomas is at present engaged in preparing the genealogy of his mother's family. Mr. Wright de- parted this life in 1873, aged forty-nine years.
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Her family are among the early settlers of Laneas- ter County. She was a granddaughter of William and Ehzabeth (Bartram) Wright and a lineal de- seendant of John Cartlidge, who took up land in Manor Township in 1718.
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