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 37
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Our subject is a man whose entire course in life has been in every respect honorable, upright and conscientious and he is justly entitled to the respeet of his associates and the esteem of all who know him. He now resides in the village of Millersville, to which place he removed in the spring of 1884.
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J FRANK BOWMAN for several years has been engaged in the eigar box manufactur- ing business in Laneaster, and has built up a remunerative and constantly increasing trade in this article, his business now amounting to from $18,000 to 820,000 per annum, and this has been accomplished during a short period of four years. In polities Mr. Bowman has taken quite an active part, and in February, 1894, was elected a mem- ber of the Common Council. In the fraternal eireles of the city he is a leading member, and in many industries and enterprises which have greatly increased the standing of the city he has given his influence.
A son of John M. and Catherine (Obevly) Bow- man, the subject of this biography was born July 19, 1856, in Lancaster Township, of this county. Ilis paternal grandfather, whose Christian name was Isaac, was a native of Strasburg Township, and followed farming, also building and contraet- ing, in that locality during his active career, which terminated when he had attained his seventy- seventh year. He was first a Whig, and subsequent- ly a Republican. By his marriage with Elizabeth Musser he had eight children: John M., Heury; Elizabeth, who died at the age of eighteen years;
Isaac, Joseph, Amanda, Anna, and Benjamin, who has passed away.
Our subjeet's father was born in Eden Town- ship, this county, and learned the trade of a ma- chinist in the bending works, and was also a saw- yer. In later years he devoted his time to carrying on his farm in Providence Township, a traet of ninety-two acres. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and religiously was a member of the Mennonite Church. He has been twice married, having three children by his first nnion: Anna, J. F. and Charles. The mother of these children was called from this life when her son. J. Frank, was a lad of only two and a-half years, and his father subsequently married Mrs. Martha Starr, nee Boreman. Of his marriage eight children were born, as follows: Catherine, Benjamin, Ella, Martha, E., Hays, Ezra and Sallie.
J. Frank Bowman left his father's home when only nine years old, returning during the winters in order to attend school until he was thirteen years of age, when he went away permanently, and for the succeeding seven years worked on farms, or at whatever he could find to do, in order to obtain a livelihood. Ile then assumed a clerkship in a tobacco warehouse at Harnish Station, being in the employ of Mr. Harnish. To that gentleman he gave his faithful services for fourteen years, during the latter part of the time running the business altogether. Afterward coming to Lancaster. he took a position as soliei- tor and collector for the firm of Levan & Sons, merchant millers, and continued with them for four years. Later he engaged in the flour and feed business in this city, and finally, in 1890, started his present industry at Nos. 135 and 137 North Christian Street. This plant, which is 28x70 feet and two stories in height, is one of the lead- ing concerns of the city at the present time, and affords employment to twelve hands. Mr. Bow- man is now also engaged in running a metal edge box shop at his home, No. 116 West Orange Street. The products of these manufactories are sold in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and many other cities in the eastern part of the state and Maryland. From his early years the proprietor has been possessed of great ingenuity and originality, and these qual-
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ities have been very useful to him in the various departments of his business. He is truly a self- made and self-educated man, as his attendance at school was very limited, and he was obliged to go to work when very young. Naturally very studious, Mr. Bowman has succeeded in becoming well posted by private reading and practical ex perience in the battle of life.
Politically Mr. Bowman is a Republican, has served as Judge and Inspector of Elections, and was President of the Campaign Club preceding the election of Rutherford B. Hayes. Among the eivie societies to which Mr. Bowman belongs are the following: Monterey Lodge No. 242, I. O. O. F .; Inland City Lodge No. 88, K. of P .; Meridian Sun Commandery No. 99, K. of M .; Fulton Castle No. 410, K. of G. E .; Stevens Council No. 156, Sr. O. U. A. M .: Lancaster Council No. 912, Jr. O. C. A. M .; and in addition to which he belongs to the City Literary and Social Club. Mr. Bowman was married August 3, 1886, to Miss Nanny Walker, and they have three children: Chester W., Edgar Quay and David B.
H ENRY D. ROHRER is a practical florist and one of the proprietors of the East End greenhouses so well known in Lan- caster and hereabouts. For nearly a quarter of a century he has devoted his entire time and inter- est to the cultivation of plants and market vege- tables and has made a success of his business en- terprises. Until the spring of 1894 he engaged in partnership with his brother A. D., under the firm name of A. D. Rohrer & Bro., and since that time has carried on his business alone, having dissolved partnership with his brother.
The birth of our subject occurred in East Lampe- ter Township, Lancaster County, March 3, 1817, his parents being Abraham and Susan ( Denlinger) Rohrer, who were likewise born in this township. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Rohrer, eame
from one of the oldest families of the county, his ancestors having originated in Switzerland and being of German deseent. The Rohrers first set- tled in Montgomery County, but in a very early day located in Lancaster Connty. The father of Henry D. was an extensive farmer in former days near Conestoga Creek, having over three hundred acres at one time, which he divided between his children on retiring from active life. Ile is still living, residing on a portion of the old homestead, and is now about eighty years of age. Ilis wife, who was a daughter of Jacob Denlinger, has reached the ripe age of eighty-two years, and of her four sons and one daughter all are still living. The eldest, A. D., is retired from active business; John lives in East Lampeter Township; II. D. is next in order of birth; Benjamin lives at the old home, and Annie is the wife of Jacob Landis, of Lampeter Township.
Henry D. Rohrer was reared to the duties of farm life and had common school advantages in his boyhood. In 1870 he bought the place ad- joining that of his brother Abraham D., and to- gether they began their present business. As the years passed they found it necessary to continually enlarge the capacity of their greenhouses and they now have about forty, covering some ninety thou- sand square feet. These are heated by steam with five engines, one of eighty horse-power, two of forty and two of twenty horse-power, and every- thing else is of the most improved modern kind. The location of the greenhouses is on East King Street adjoining the city, where the brothers own a thousand feet frontage. In the spring of 1894 Henry D. Rohrer built a new plant of sixteen green- houses on the Conestoga Creek, at the foot of Orange Street, making them each one hundred feet in length, and gives his entire attention to growing flowers for the wholesale trade only. Mr. Rohrer has taken quite an active part in the np- building of the city and in public improvements. Ile owns a tract of sixteen acres which he opened and graded, besides making other improvements. Cottage Avenue, which is one of the most beauti- ful streets in the city, running from East King to East Orange Street, he gave to the public, and af- terward, in connection with his brother and Mr.
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Rouk, opened and graded East Orange Street from the city limits to Conestoga Creek, making a most beautiful drive. It is all laid out in fifty foot lots for residences only, and when built up will be one of the finest portions of the city. This plat is nicely laid out and trees and evergreen hedges have been planted. Mr. Rohrer erected a brick residence on Cottage Avenue which he has sold, and his own home is pleasantly situated on East King Street.
In this city our subjeet was married in 1870 to Miss Mary Kreider, whose birth occurred in Lampe- ter Township. To this worthy couple three chil- dren have been born: Abram K., Harry K. and Ella. Mrs. Rohrer is a member of the Old Mennon- ite Church of this city and is a lady of excellent education and worthy qualities.
Since the organization of the American Florist Association our subject has been a member of the same and regularly attends its meetings. In poli- ties he votes with the Republican party. Mr. Rohrer has under his personal control twenty-five greenhouses built on the most improved modern plans, which will make this the largest plant of the kind in Lancaster County.
A. D. Rohrer was born in East Lampeter Town- ship in 1840, and on his father's homestead passed his boyhood. After obtaining a good common school education he started in the florist business on the outskirts of Lancaster, beginning on a very small scale with only one greenhouse. Such at- tention and industry as he manifested was re- warded in time with the fine business which is now his. lle owns a tract of thirteen acres and has built four residences on King Street and one on East Orange Street. In his real-estate venture he has been as successful as in his other enterprises and this property is rapidly rising in value in the market. When the Lancaster Electric Railway was started Mr. Rohrer was a Director in the same and superintended its laying out. Likewise in Cones- toga Park he has always been greatly interested and also in the West End Park, and to his efforts in a large measure are due these beautiful and at- tractive bits of scenery, which the people duly ap- preciate.
A. D. Rohrer married Miss Barbara Esbenshade,
whose birth occurred in Manheim Township, and of their union has been born one child, Willis. Like his brother, A. D. is a true Republican and a pa- triotic citizen. Ile is a member of the American Florist Association and makes it his endeavor to keep thoroughly abreast with the times.
P HARES W. FRY. a dealer in and manufac- turer of leaf tobacco and cigars, was born in Millport, Lancaster County, Pa., De- cember 24, 1815, being a son of Samuel Fry. Ile was reared in his native town, obtaining his educa- tion in the common schools until ten years of age, and from 1855 to 1857 attending school at Lititz. In 1859-60 he was a student in the normal school at Millersville for eighteen months. The next two years of his life were spent as a clerk in a general store at New llaven.
During the Civil War, in 1863, Mr. Fry enlisted in the Fiftieth Pennsylvania Regiment, and July 20, 1864, volunteered in Company G. One Hun- dred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, un- der Capt. P. L. Sprecher. He served in Virginia and West Virginia until his command was mustered out at Harrisburg. November 4, 1864, when he re- turned to his home. After a short time spent as clerk in a store, in 1865 he came to Lancaster, en- tering the employ of Lane & Co., dry-goods deal- ers, with whom he remained seven years. In 1872 he engaged in the wall paper and window shade business at No. 63 North Queen Street, and from there moved to No. 57 North Queen Street, where he remained until 1886. Disposing of the busi- ness he engaged in his present trade with his brother, M. M. Fry, under the firm name of M. M. Fry & Bro. The partnership continued until 1890, when our subject took the cigar business, which he conducted in the rear end of their warehouse. He also engaged in the leaf tobacco trade. In 1892 he located at his present place, No. 119 North Christian Street, where he carries on business, ag-
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gregating from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred cases per annum.
Our subject was united in marriage at Safe Ilar- bor, April 7, 1878, with Miss Josephine C., daugh- ter of Capt. George Hess, who was killed in the late war. By this marriage three children were born, Howard W., Emma Il. and Allen C. Our subject is counted among the prosperous business men of Lancaster, and among other interests it may be mentioned that he is one of the stockhold- ers of the People's Building and Loan Association. Politically. he is a firm supporter of the Republican party.
J AMES YOUNG MITCHELL, A. M., D. D., is the second oldest resident pastor in Lancas- ter, and has charge of the First Presbyterian Church, which was organized in 1763. The first building of the congregation was built about 1770, and continued to be their church home until 1821, when it was enlarged, and in 1850 the pres- ent walls were ereeted. The church is on Orange between Lime and Duke Streets, and of late years has been remodeled, and is now one of the finest structures both in finish and style in the state. Rev. Dr. Mitehell is a very popular and schol- arly gentleman, who has been prominent in his de- nomination for several decades, and was the last Moderator of the Historie Synod of Philadelphia in 1881.
The birth of our subject occurred in Philadel- phia, Pa. Ilis father, James Mitchell, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and learned the linen weaver's trade. A year after his marriage to Elizabeth Young they came to America and set- tled in Philadelphia. Until 1857 the father en- gaged in the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods, when he retired from active cares. He died in 1881, when he was over four-score years of age, and his wife only survived him about three years. Though their parents were residents of Ireland,
they were natives of Scotland. Our subject is the third in a family of five children, two of whom are living, and he was reared in Philadelphia, where he attended the high school for three years.
The collegiate education of Rev. Dr. Miteb- ell was commenced at Delaware College in New- ark, Del., where he was a student for two years, continued in Union College of Schenectady, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1854 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1857 he was graduated from the Princeton Theological Semi- nary after a three years' course. Union College later conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1880 he received from his Alma Mater the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After gradu- ating from the Theological Seminary in 1857 he was licensed to preach by the Philadelphia Pres- bytery, and soon accepted a call to the church in Phillipsburg, N. J., and while there the church building was finished and its debts paid. In Jan- uary, 1862, he was called to the congregation in Philadelphia, in which he was reared and with which his parents and family were identified. Among his church members were Elders with whom he had played when a boy. A debt of 88,000 on the church was paid off in two weeks under his able management and earnest efforts. In 1868 a new church was built at the corner of Franklin and Thompson Streets at a cost of $100,- 000. This church, which is known as the Temple Presbyterian, is only two squares from Dr. Mitch- ell's birthplace, and he continued as its pastor un- til 1876, when he was called to his present charge.
In September of that year, Dr. Mitchell removed his family to Lancaster, and the following year the church was remodeled, a pipe organ introduced and a bell hung. In 1889 Robert A. Evans built the adjoining memorial chapel, which cost $23,000. During the year 1893 a further work of improve- ment upon the church was commeneed, and about $13,000 were spent. Walnut pews, a new organ, steam heat and electric lights and modern con- veniences are now to be found in this, one of the wealthiest churches in the state.
In October, 1858, Dr. Mitehell was married in Easton. to llenrietta, daughter of Peter S. Mich- ler, who was at the time President of a bank there.
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Mrs. Mitchell was born in Easton, and was educated in seminaries of Massachusetts and New York City. By her marriage she has become the mother of live children. James, A. M., M. D., who was graduated from the Franklin and Marshall College and the Medical Department of the Pennsylvania Univer- sity, is located in Philadelphia. Mary, Mrs. II. HI. Hoyt, resides in Milwaukee, Wis., where her hus- band is an attorney. Martha became the wife of Capt. C. J. Crane, of the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry, who is now stationed at Ft. Baird, N. Mex. Warren, a civil engineer and graduate of the University of Wisconsin, is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Henrietta lives with her parents at No. 34 North Lime Street.
Dr. Mitchell is a charter member of Kensington Commandery, K. T., of Philadelphia. In former years Hon. Thaddeus Stevens and ex-President James Buchanan were pew holders, and the lat- ter a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Dr. Mitchell is a highly cultured and finely educated gentleman, who possesses a good deliv- ery, and has an earnest manner, which claims the attention of his hearers.
J ACOB II. LANDIS, a prominent citizen of Millersville, Lancaster County, has been re- tired from active cares since 1880, after hav- ing lived a useful and busy life as an agri- culturist and miller in Manor Township. The family of which he is a member is an old one in this county, the founder of the branch in these parts having been of Swiss nationality. He was Benjamin Landis, who in 1717 located in Man- heim Township, where he proceeded to develop a tract of wild land. He was married to Elizabeth Brackbill, by whom he had two sons, Benjamin and John. The latter, born June 9, 1786, in Manheim Township, became the father of our subject, and when nineteen years of age removed to a farm in Conestoga Township, which is now
in possession of his son Tobias. The same year he married Elizabeth Rudy, and by her had the following children: Mary, Mrs. Gamber; Benjamin; Anna, Mrs. Forry; and Fannie, Mrs. Weidler. By a second marriage, to Anna, daughter of Jacob Hu- ber, were born Susan, now deceased; Betsey; Jacob Il., David, Tobias and Magdalena, the latter of whom became the wife of Rudolph Herr, but has since passed away. The father of these children was a man of great enterprise and industry. His judg- ment was always considered sound and his influ- enee in the community was wholesome and bene- ficial. In 1893 he was elected Supervisor of Con- estoga Township, and while a resident of Manor Township, served as County Commissioner. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. A devoted member of the Mennonite Church, he held steadfast to the faith until his death, August 22, 1870, when in his eighty-fifth year.
laeob Landis was born April 18, 1822, on his father's farm in Conestoga Township, and was only four years old when his parents removed to Manor Township. He pursued his study at Lititz, and also at a select school in Manheim Township. After becoming thoroughly familiar with the labors pertaming to farming he started an appren- tieeship at the miller's trade, in 1841, and after learning the same, assumed charge of his father's mill, which he successfully operated for several years. In 1861 he became sole proprietor of both the mill and the farm, and conducted them success- fully until his retirement from business life some fourteen years ago.
February 26, 1852, Mr. Landis married Anna S., daughter of David and Susan Herr, of Lancaster Township, this county. Of this union two sons and four danghters were born : . John 11., who married Miss Betsy Thoma; Mary A., who married Clay- ton S. Wenger, of West Earl Township, Lancaster County; Susan, Mrs. Reist; Lizzie, who became the wife of II. L. Stehman; Fannie, deceased, and David, who married Miss Ellen Shelly. In his po- htical faith Mr. Landis supports the Republican party, but has neither sought nor desired political honors. Ever a great friend to the cause of edu- cation, he is a Trustee at the present time of the Millersville State Normal School and in every
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way has used his influence in favor of advanced methods in educational matters. lle is a Director of the Farmers' National Bank of Lancaster, and was one of the Managers of the Lancaster & Mill- ersville Street Railroad. In Ins many investments and different business enterprises he has been very successful and prosperous, having shown great ability and foresight in the management of his affairs. Ile is a member of the Reformed Church of this place, with which he has been connected for many years as an active worker. Personally he is a man of strict integrity and true worth.
ROF. CHRISTIAN J. BURGER is very prominent in musical circles in Lancaster, being leader of Burger's Orchestra and Burger's Military Band. From his early years he has been noted for talent in this art and was a lad of only twelve years when he took the first prize for violin playing out of a class of six hundred pupils. From the time he was ten years of age hie has given his earnest effort to improve in this line and has built up an almost national reputation for his skill. Ile has traveled in all parts of the coun- try with different companies as leader of orchestra and at one time was with Buffalo Bill in the Wild West Show.
Professor Burger was born in Reading, Pa., Marchi 27, 1859, being a son of Christian J. and Annetta (Kanl) Burger. The father was born in Baden, Germany, where he was a blacksmith by trade. When a young man he came to this country, set- tling in Reading, where he engaged in making boilers for the firm of Obert & Sons. At the age of fifty-two years, in 1883, he departed this life in that city, and his widow now makes her home in Lancaster. The sketch of her father, Rev. Permin Kaul, may be found in another portion of this work. Professor Burger is the eldest of six chil- dren. all but two of whom are living, and until ten
years of age attended the Reading public schools. He was then sent to Notre Dame, Ind., and there took up music, and, as previously mentioned, re- ceived high honors for his violin work. At the end of three years he was apprenticed to a jeweler in Reading and completed the trade, at the same time spending much of his time on music. At the end of four years our subject went on the road with the Welsh & Hughes Brooklyn Minstrels, with whom he continued one season as leader of the orchestra. The following year he traveled with Haywood Brothers as leader, and then for two seasons went with the company of Agnes Villa. From 1881 to the spring of 1887 Professor Burger traveled with the Wild West Show as leader of the band and played in all the principal cities in the United States, having been in San Francisco five times. In the opera house in Lancaster the Professor was Director for two years and later traveled with Rus- sell's Comedians. In 1881 Burger's Orchestra and the Military Band were organized by him and since that time he has had a steady engagement at the Fulton Opera Honse in Lancaster. the orchestra being composed of from nine to fifteen pieces, and the band having twenty-five pieces.
In 1883 our subject organized the Lancaster Opera Company, which gave "Pinafore." In 1890 they performed in "Mikado," three years later re- turning to " Pinafore," and in 1894 presented "Three Black Cloaks." This company was well drilled and met with flattering success. In the line of composi- tion Professor Burger has done considerable. mainly in the line of music for orchestra and bands, and he is the author of several popular marches and elever quadrilles and other dances. Ile has published mnsie to a certain extent and many of his produc- tions have met with a large sale. As a professor of music in this city he is very favorably known, having numbered among his pupils many from the best families in Lancaster.
In 1889 Professor Burger was married in Lan- caster to Miss Emma Stewart, of this place, and daughter of Thomas Stewart. The father was for- merly engaged in farming in this locality and was killed by the cars in Philadelphia when in the prime of life, being ahout forty years of age. Ilis wife, formerly Mary Tangred, was born in Lancas-
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ter, as was also her father, George Tangred. Mrs. Burger is next to the youngest of four children, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Christian P. Mr. and Mrs. Burger are mem- bers of St. Anthony's Church. The former is a Democrat and socially is a charter member of the Elk's society.
S AMUEL CHARLES STEIGERWALT. It is a pleasure to the biographer to head this sketch with the name of the man who is in every sense worthy of the distinction afforded by honorable mention among the distinguished citi- zens of the community in which he has passed nearly all the active years of his life. Mr. Steiger- walt is one of the prominent carriage-makers of Lancaster, in which business he has been engaged in the city since 1886.
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