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 40
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in 1891, when about seventy-two years of age. Of her eleven children who grew to maturity, only live are now living. Religiously the father is a member of the Episcopal Church, and politically is a Republican.
For a few years Thomas Meyrick, whose name heads this sketch, went to the common schools of Danville, but when only nine years old commeneed running an engine for his father, being thus em- ployed for about six months. Some time later he operated an engine for Groves & Bros., of the Mt. Toure Iron Works, and remained in their employ and that of their successors for about two and a- half years. Going next to Sagebrook, he occu- pied a like position until 1862, when he went to Columbia. For several years he was engineer for the iron manufacturers, Maltby & Case, and for some time was Chief Engineer. Afterward he was employed in the Susquehanna Rolling Mills as Chief Engineer, and while there overhauled the Columbia Fire Engine. Wenext find him in New York City, where for two years he was Chief En- gineer for Messrs. Barnum & Weleh. From that time until 1883 he was engineer in Edwards Coal Mines at Kingston, Pa., after which he came to Lancaster and succeeded David L. Deen as Chief Engineer of the Penn Iron Works, a position he has held ever since. lle has seven engines under his inspection, as many engineers, and thus a very large responsibility is reposed in him, which he is fully able to carry with fidelity. The seven engines aggregate five hundred horse-power, and though Mr. Meyrick has made many useful dis- coveries and applied them to his engines and ma- chinery, he has never taken the trouble to patent any of them. lle has been very fortunate in that he has never had an accident around his engines. but this is due to his extreme earefulness and fidelity to duty.
Meyrick is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and is a most estimable lady, who has many warm friends.
In politics our subject is a straightforward Re- publiean. lle belongs to Blue Cross Castle No. 46, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and is identified with Chickasalunga Tribe No. 39. Order of Red Men, in Columbia. lle also is a member of Fulton Council No. 10, of the Order of Steam Engineers, of which he is a past officer.
OIIN L. BRENNEMAN. Among the hon- ored veterans of the late war and the respect- ed citizens of West Lampeter Township. Lan- caster County, is this worthy old settler, who comes from one of the old families of the county. For several years past he has been engaged in run- ning a hotel in this township, and has met with a flattering measure of success in this enterprise. llis paternal grandfather was an extensive farmer and distiller, owning property in Manor Township.
The father of John L. Brenneman, who bore the name of Abram, was born and grew to manhood in Manor Township, this county, and in his earlier years devoted his energies to running a woolen mill and a saw mill. His last years were passed on his farm, which he owned and operated success- fully. Politically he was a Republican, and in re- ligious faith was a Dunkard. On arriving at man- hood he was married to a Miss Harnish, and of that union there was one son, Christopher, who re- sides in Manor Township. His second marriage was to Barbara Hertzler, and they had a family of twelve children, of whom the following are living: Abram; John L., our subject; Benjamin II., Mary and Elizabeth. The parents are both now deceased.
In 1869 Mr. Meyrick was married in Columbia to Annie Gilbert, who was born in that city, and whose father was known as Old Ironsides, being one of the first Constables of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Meyrick have had three children, Aaron, who is one of the engineers of the Penn Iron The subject of this sketch was born in Manor Township in 1813, and early learned farm duties Works; May and Grant. The family residence is located at No. 611 East Chestnut Street. Mrs. ; on the place belonging to his father. Ilis life
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passed quite uneventfully during his youth, his time being divided between lending his assistance to his father in carrying on the homestead, and in attending the district schools of that locality. Ile made the best of his educational facilities, and not content with such advantages as he received in that direction, has always been a student and a great reader. When eighteen years of age he left school, and from that time forward gave his prin- eipal attention to farming. For some years he oper- ated a place on shares, as he had no capital with which to embark in business, and during this time managed to lay by a considerable sum of money, with which he finally purchased a farm. For fifteen years subsequently he was employed in the cultivation and improvement of this piece of property. which through his efforts became very valuable. About 1884 he decided to branch out in another direction of business, becoming the owner of a hotel near Wil- low Street, and has found his time amply taken up with the proper management and care of the same. Travelers who find themselves in this locality are sure of good entertainment and home comforts in this hostelry. Everything about the place is neat and clean and the rooms are well furnished. Since becoming the owner of the hotel Mr. Brenneman has made substantial improvements, and is con- stantly devising new features to be added in bet- tering the property.
January 19, 1873, Mr. Brenneman was married to Mary L. Huber, daughter of Levi and Catherine (Keeports) Huber. They were born in this county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was a Justice of the Peace and also followed surveying a number of years in this county. Mrs. Brenne- man, who was born and reared to womanhood mn West Lampeter Township, is a most estimable lady and worthy belpmate to her husband in every sense of the word. Two sons and two daughters have come to bless the home of this worthy couple, and in the order of birth are as follows: Elnora, Emma M., Clayton G. and Edgar L.
In 1865 Mr. Brenneman was in the service of the Government in the War of the Rebellion, and served for eleven months, having charge of the cavalry horses. Politically he is a Republican, having cast his ballot in favor of its nominees since
arriving at his majority. Being courteous and agreeable to his patrons and neighbors, he readily makes and retains friends, who esteem him very highly for the many worthy qualities which are among his characteristics.
M ILES L. DAVIS, M. D., is the medical director of St. Joseph's Hospital and President of the City Pathological So- ciety. He has been in active practice for about a quarter of a century, and since 1882 has been a resident of Lancaster, becoming one of her lead- ing physicians. Being a very practical man in every way, and a genius as well, he has the honor of having been the founder of the first successful crematory in the I'nited States, this being located i at Laneaster. Ilis attention having been specially directed toward the prevention of contagious and infectious diseases, the Doctor has also designed a hospital for this class of patients, which is con- strueted on a simple and inexpensive system and is a departure of great merit and practical use. An honored veteran of the late war, he was all through the service and took part in many of the most important battles and engagements.
Dr. Davis was born February 6, 1845, in Hunt- ingdon County, being a son of Henry Davis, and grew to manhood at his native place; he entered the common schools, and later attended Petersburg Academy. The war breaking out at this time he entered Company C, of the Nineteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and afterward returned to his studies in the State Normal School, at Millersville. Subsequently, in 1870, he graduated from the Bellevue Medical College in New York City, and thenee he went to Rohrerstown, where he practiced for four years, and then for eight years was loented in Millersville. For the past ten years he has been , connected with St. Joseph's Hospital as Medical Director, and has made a great point of the pre- vention of diseases by sanitation. At the World's
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Congress Auxiliary he presented a paper on this subjeet, bringing out the features of his contagious disease hospital scheme, an article of much merit, which justly won commendation. About 1884 the attention of Dr. Davis was turned to the ques- tion of erecting a crematory, and finding the one in use very unsatisfactory, devised a new plan, and under his supervision one modeled on the same was erected. In addition to this, he has made plans for other crematories and superintended their construction in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and smaller cities.
In the spring of 1863 Dr. Davis enlisted in Com- pany I, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, subse- quent to his three months' service in the Forty- second Pennsylvania Militia, at which time he was a member of Company B. After being mustered in at Philadelphia in the summer of 1863 he was sent to Camp Stanton, being assigned to the Grierson Cavalry Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, who were sent in pursuit of Morgan. With his regiment he participated in battles and skirmishes innumerable at or around Cyprus Swamp, Bolivar, Guntown, Big Black, Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, Cold Water, Hurricane Creek and Oxford. Next he was sent to Little Rock, Ark., and then by way of Cape Girardeau, Mo., under Colonel Karge, to Independence, Mo., where he took part in the battle of that name. Later he was in the engage- ments at Marion, Greensboro, Pilot Knob, Osage and Big Blue. Returning to Memphis, he was sent to Nashville, where he arrived in time for the battle on December 12, and thence went in pursuit of Ilood up the Tennessee River. In the severe fight at Hollow Tree Gap he took part in the two sabre charges made in one day. In February, 1865, the regiment was consolidated on account of re- duced numbers, and embarked for New Orleans under command of Col. Frank Reeder. They were then in the south and west until mustered out, and July 25, 1865, met and defeated a detachment of Gen. Wirt Adams' command at Clinton, La. The Doctor was discharged in September, 1865, be- ing then a Sergeant.
In Huntingdon, Pa., our subject was married March 16, 1871, to Miss Laura E. Wilson, a native of that place, and they have four living children :
Ilarry W. and Lizzie A., who are students at the Millersville Academy; and Laura E. and Miles L., Jr.
Dr. Davis is a man of wide education and ex- perience, and by means of correspondence has come mto contact with many of the most learned men of the times. A skillful surgeon and general practitioner, he has never neglected his private practice in his widespread studies and investiga- tions. Ile is an honored member of the Lancaster City and County Medical Associations, having been President, Vice-President and Secretary of these societies at various times, and being also identified with the State Medical and the City Pathological Society at the present time, acting as President of the latter. A true blue Republican, he has served as a member of the Select Council to fill a vacancy for part of a term. Fraternally he is a Free and Accepted Mason and belongs to the Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rites. Dr. Davis is also a member of George II. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R., and belongs to the Linnæan Society, a scientific organization.
A ARON B. SHANK, whose postoffice ad- dress is West Willow Street, Lancaster County, is a well-to-do and progressive farmer of Pequea Township. For the past six years, however, he has devoted his time to the leaf tobacco business, and is meeting with good success in this industry. He comes from one of the old and honorable families of the county, where his ancestors have dwelt for several generations. Ilis paternal grandfather, Henry Shank, who was born and reared in Pequea Township, followed agricul- tural pursuits and was one of the first farmers to raise tobacco in this county. Prior to the forma- tion of the Republican party he was a Whig, and later united his influence to the former organiza- tion. By his marriage with Miss Hoover he had twelve children, namely: John, Henry, Tobias, Jacob and Isaac (twins), Reuben, Samuel, Benja-
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min, Mary ( Mrs. Bowers), Susan, Anna ( Mrs. Herr) and Benjamin, the second of the name.
The father of our subject, Henry Il. Shank. the second of his parents' large family, in his early days was exclusively a farmer, but subsequently became a successful merchant of Lancaster. For a long term of years he was a School Director, and before his business affairs engrossed his time so thoroughly was quite a politician and an in- fluential Republican. For his life companion he wedded Anna Barr, and seven children came to bless their union, as follows: Aaron B .; one who died before receiving a name; Samuel B .; Henry II .; Josiah, deceased; David, a practicing physi- cian, and Alpheus.
The birth of Aaron B. Shank took place on his father's farm in Pequena Township in 1840. He received his rudimentary education in the district schools of the vicinity and supplemented this with a course of traming at the Lititz College, of Lititz, l'a. When he was only seventeen years old he em- barked in the active business of life as an agricul- turist and successfully followed that vocation for many years. In his present enterprise as a dealer in leaf tobacco, he is doing very well, and year by year is making a greater success of the undertak- ing than he had previously accomplished. Like all true citizens of this great Republic, he is greatly interested in educational affairs, believing that in this lies the solution of many of the great difficul- ties and problems menacing the country. For that reason he has endeavored in his capacity as School Director to obtain for the benefit of the rising gen- erations well qualified teachers and modernly equip- ped sehools. For fifteen years he has acted as a School Director, being relied upon by his friends and neighbors as one who has given much study and thought to the question.
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On the 8th of January, 1863, a marriage was cel- ebrated in Pequea Township at the home of the bride's parents, Miss Anna Snavely becoming the wife of our subject. A son and two daughters have blessed their union, the eldest being Benja- min S., and the daughters Lizzie and Ida. Their parents have given them good educational advan- tages in every direction and they are highly es- teemed young people in the social eireles of their
neighborhood. In his political affiliation Mr. Shank is an ally of the Republican party, as was lns father before him. As a result of his industrious habits and correct business principles he has succeeded in making a good livelihood for his family and is steadily acquiring a competency for the support of his declining years.
WILLIAM WOHLSEN, a successful mer- chant and commercial man of Lancas- ter, is proprietor of the Wohlsen P'lan- ing Mill on Mulberry Street. He has fine property, a large and paying business, and has been very suc- cessful during his business dealings in this place, which have extended over a quarter of a century.
The birth of our subject occurred in Hanover, Germany, near the city of Hamburg, December 24, 1847. Ilis father, Peter N., was born in the same place and was a brick layer by occupation. Dur- ing the Revolution of 1848 he was a soldier in the serviee, belonging to the German Army. About 1884 he left the Fatherland and eame to make his home with his son William. Hle is now over sev- enty years of age and is still hale and hearty. Ilis wife, who was in her girlhood Catherine Oelrich, was born in Ilanover and is now also making her home with our subjeet. They are both devoted adherents of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which they reared their six children. Five of the number came to America and four are still living in Lancaster. Three of our subject's brothers were formerly builders and contractors, but one of them died in 1893.
William Wohlsen was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade when sixteen years of age and followed that calling until starting for America. Ile was the first one of his family to set forth to make his fortunes in a new land among strangers. He took passage on the steamship "Cimbria" from Hamburg to New York City. Ile came almost di- rect to this city, where he arrived September 16,
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1867, and for a year worked as a carpenter for Adolph Bash. For some time thereafter he was employed by different parties, and finally, in 1871, started in business for himself and continued in this line for just twenty years. Since 1891 he has given his attention to running Ins mill and to the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. He built a number of schoolhouses and store buildings, be- sides residences. The last of his efforts in this di- reetion were the Morning News Building, which he erected for B. J. MeGran, and the store of J. G. Haas, on East Orange Street. In 1884 he bought the planing mill of F. O. Sturgis, has enlarged the building nearly twice over and now has a space 60x110 feet and two stories and basement in height. The factory is equipped with an engine of sixty horse-power and improved modern machinery. Employment is afforded to about fifty men and his trade is steadily increasing. Mr. Wohlsen owns one hundred and sixty-eight feet frontage on North Mulberry Street, the numbers running from 405 to 419, inclusive. He holds stock in the Edi- son Electric Light Company and is a Director in the People's Building, Loan and Deposit Company of Chicago.
August 1, 1869, Mr. Wohlsen was married in this eity to Catherine Klenck, who is a native of the same locality as her husband. To them have been born ten children: Mary, wife of D. Stuart Griffiths, Clerk in the Fulton National Bank; An- nie; larry, who is in business with his father; Will- iam, John, Catherine, Clarence and Frank. Min- nie and Emma died when young.
In educational affairs Mr. Wohlsen has always taken great interest, and in 1885 was elected a School Director from the Ninth Ward. lle has been re-elected and is now serving his fourth term. He has acted on different committees, those which have had in charge the night schools, furniture, sup- plies, ete. Fraternally he belongs to Lancaster Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M .; Lancaster Chapter No. 43, R. A. M .; the Council, and Commandery No. 13, K. T., Lodge of Perfection. In 1868 he joined the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is now a member of Hebel Lodge. Ile has passed all the chairs in the society of the Seven Wise Men and is one of the Red Jacket Tribe No. 44, Order of
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Red Men. In Zion's Lutheran Church he is now serving as President of the Council. In political affairs he is always found on the side of the Re- publican party.
ENRY LIVELY, who is a first class book- keeper and accountant, residing at Lan- caster, was born October 29, 1841. Hle is a son of Mathias Lively, born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many. The original family name was Laupplan. Ile married his first wife in Germany, and emigrated to America, where she died, after which he married his second wife. He followed shoemaking and farm- ing for a livelihood, departing this life about 1869, aged eighty-four years and six months. Politi- cally he was a Republican, and in church matters was a Lutheran.
Our subject's mother's maiden name was Bar- bara Geist, a native of Strasburg, Pa .; she died in 1868, aged sixty-nine years. By our subject's fa- ther's first marriage, there were three children, all of whom grew to majority, but are now de- ceased. By his second marriage he reared a large family of children, only two of whom survive, our subject being the younger. lle was reared in Lancaster, obtaining a liberal education in the pub- he and high schools, and at the age of fourteen commeneed to learn the dry-goods business with B. B. Marton & Co. He is a graduate of the Lan- caster Commercial College, from which institution he graduated in 1861, after which he was employed as diy goods clerk and bookkeeper, and was en- gaged for twenty-one years in the dry goods house of J. M. Long on North Queen Street, which business he had charge of for many years, and kept four complete sets of books. At the death of Mr. Long, the business was closed out and our subject was made Trustee for the IIamilton estate, which Mr. Long has handled during his life time. In 1882 he became agent and bookkeeper for Swift's Dressed Beef Packing Company, which
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place he held about nine months, and in 1885 be- came Register Clerk in the Postoffice under II. E. Slaymaker. lle resigned his Postoffice position and accepted one as head bookkeeper and soon afterward became Superintendent and Seeretary of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. Ile is an expert bookkeeper and accountant, and has had much to do in that line in and about Lancaster.
In 1864 he was married at Lancaster to Miss Amanda Stetler, a native of Norristown, Pa. By this union four children were born, Emma B., now Mrs. John M. Davidson, of Lancaster; Nellie L., Mrs. George MeBain, of Roanoke, Va., a dry goods dealer; Howard L., an electrician, now engaged in the electrie business for himself at No. 136 North Prince Street; and Edward A., also in the elec- trie business with his brother. Our subject is a worthy member of the Odd Fellows' order and belongs to St. James' Episcopal Church. Politi- cally he casts his vote for the man that he deems most fit for the office, irrespective of party.
D ANIEL H. GRUBE, or "Dan," as he is fa- miliarly ealled by his many friends, is a well known and popular business man of Lancaster; he is the late proprietor of the Iliesler House, and is now living retired. One of the na- tive sons of this county, whose birth occurred in Conovan Township, July 21, 1845, he comes from one of the old and respected families of Pennsylvania. Ilis great-grandfather on the pa- ternal side was a lad of only nine years when he came to this region from Switzerland with his par- ents, who were Mennonites religiously. Our sub- jeet's grandfather, Peter Grube, and also his fa- ther, John. were natives of Dauphin County, and farmers by occupation. Our subject's father lo- cated in East Earl Township, where he was mar- ried, and later removed to Conovan Township, there operating a farm of seventy-four aeres until his death. Like his ancestors he belonged to the
Mennonite Church, and was a Republican in poli- ties, serving as a School Director at one time. Ilis wife, Elizabeth (Houder) Grube, came from an old county family, and was born in Salisbury Township. ller unele was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and some of her uncles took part in the War of 1812.
Daniel 11. Grube is one of twelve children, seven of whom are living. One of his brothers, Martin, was in the Second Connecticut Regiment, in which he enlisted when only sixteen years of age, and while in the service received a nearly fatal wound through the body. Ile is now a resident of Blue Ball, East Earl Township, there running a hotel, and engaging in the packing and handling of to- baeco. Our subject received common school ad- vantages, and assisted in carrying on the homestead. Fired by patriotic enthusiasm, he enlisted in the service, but his father brought him back, and again in May, 1863, he determined to enter the army, and was accordingly assigned to Company G, 1 Fiftieth Pennsylvania Militia, being mustered out in the fall of that year. Returning, he took charge of the farm, which he carried on until the spring of 1878, raising tobacco and live stock to quite an extent.
In 1878 Mr. Grube went to Mechanicsburg, be- eoming proprietor of the Mechanicsburg Ilotel, which he ran for about a year, and afterwards for five years was proprietor of the New llolland House, and for two years of that time also ran the Starr House. Having been very successful in this venture, he next took charge of the Styer Hotel and remained there for five years, or until 1891, when he came to Lancaster, buying out Joe Bor- netz, of the IIiesler llouse. His lease on the same expired in April, 1894, and since that time he has been retired from active business.
In Churchtown, September 29, 1864, was cele- brated the marriage of Daniel Grube and Miss Labora Biekham, a native of that village, and two of their children lived to maturity, Louisa, Mrs. Hull, who resides with her father, and Alice. The mother was called from the shores of time Septem- ber 25, 1893.
In civie societies our subjeet has been much interested, belonging to the lodge of the Free
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& Accepted Masons of Birdsborough, of which he is past Master; of Chapter No. 43. R. A. M .; of Council No. 19; Commandery No. 13, K. T., of Lancaster, and Perfection Consistory, Thirty-sec- ond Degree, of Philadelphia. As a Grand Army man he is past Commander of Admiral Reynolds Post No. 405, and is an Odd Fellow, a member of the lodge at New Holland, and the Encampment. Mr. Grube is also identified with the Order of Elks, and March 23, 1894, was a delegate to the Philadelphia Encampment of the Grand Army. In politics he is a stanch and true Republican.
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