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 41
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A NDREW R. BYERLY, A. M., PH. D., is a member of the faculty of the Millersville Normal, and one of the finest scholars of Lancaster County. Ile is well liked by all who know him, students and professors alke, and he had the honor of delivering the baccalaureate ser- mon to the graduating Class of '94. He is a gentleman of wide research and deep thought, who by the years of arduous study he has devoted to the various branches in which he is interested, has become an authority on these subjects. Ile is of German deseent, his paternal grandfather, Andrew, having been the son of a German, who with a colony of about three thousand came to this eoun- try from the Fatherland, settling in Westmoreland County at a very early day. The grandfather owned a large tract of land in Westmoreland County, and at the time of his death left large farms to each of his sons and daughters. He was a Democrat and held a number of offices in the county; one of his uncles, Andrew, was a pa- triot of the French and Indian War. By his wife, Christiana, he had five children; among them be- ing .Jacob and Andrew. and his death occurred when he was over ninety years of age.
Dr. Byerly was born July 6. 1833, in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, be-
ing a son of Adam and Mary (Finley ) Byerly. The former, a native of the same county, spent his entire life there, and cultivated the large farm of which he was the owner. lle was first a Whig and later a Republican, and served as Supervisor and in other loeal ofliees. In religion he was a devoted adherent of the Presbyterian faith and was a man who was highly respected by all. His family com- prised six sons and seven daughters, namely: Jane, wife of Robert Hannah; Sarah, who married Nathan Wiley; William F .; Mary, Mrs. James S. Guffy: Rebecca R., wife of John Greenawalt; Martha, deceased; Jacob R .; John, who died in in- faney; Dr. Andrew R .; Christina, who died in girlhood; Adam, James C .. and Eliza Bray, Mrs. Thomas Peden. The father of this family died when over eighty years of age.
Dr. Byerly received a common school education in North Huntingdon Township, and afterwards attended the Merrittstown Academy in Union County. Subsequently he was a student in Jeffer- son College, and in 1858 was a member of the first class to graduate from Millersville Normal School in the Scientific Department. He was im- mediately made a member of the faculty of his Alma Mater, and has remained in connection with it ever since, having taught mainly in the Classical Department, which has recently been abandoned, and took his students as far in their studies as do many of the colleges. Of late the Doctor has de- voted his time and attention to teaching Greek and Latin and bears the honor of being the oldest member of the faculty. A man of genuine but unassuming worth, his students are always his friends, and they never forget the genial and kindly Dr. Byerly.
In August, 1862, the Doctor raised a company in and near Laneaster with Judge Fell and Daniel Il. Ilerr. This company became known as Com- pany E, and the Doetor was made its Captain, Mr. IIerr being First Lieutenant. Judge Fell, who was then a student in the Normal of Millersville, was made Second Lieutenant of the company, which was mustered in at Lancaster, and served in the Third Army Corps of the Potomac. They took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Monmouth, Chancellorsville and numerous other skirmishes
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and engagements, being mustered out on the ex- piration of their term of enlistment at Harrisburg. Dr. Byerly is a Republican and a member of the George II. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R., of Lan- caster.
May 20, 1863, Dr. Byerly married Anme E. Iler- shey, daughter of John 11. Hershey, of Lancaster County. They have had a family of eight chil- dren: John, a graduate of the Millersville Normal and now at Chester, Delaware County, Pa .; Mary and Alice, who died in eluldhood; Martha M., a teacher and graduate of the Millersville Normal; James W., who was drowned while bathing in the Susquehanna River in 1890; Paul R., Robert C. and Ethel. Dr. Byerly and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Lancaster, in which the former is a Ruling Elder.
ENJAMIN B. MYLIN is one of the thrifty and well-to-do farmers of West Lampeter Township, Lancaster County. Ile is a very active Republican, and has at different times served in public capacities, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Personally he bears a high reputation for honorable and upright deal- ings with his fellow-men, and is always found in the front ranks in works of improvement and publie benefit.
1
Our subjeet comes from one of the old and re- spected families of this locality, and his paternal grandfather, who bore the Christian name of Martin, formerly owned and cultivated the farm which is now in the possession of our subject. During nearly all of his life he followed agricultural pur- suits and was very successful. Hle married Eliza- beth Buekwalter, by whom he had a family com- prising seven children, Daniel, Benjamin, Abram, Martin, Elizabeth, Betsy, and Mary, who married a Mr. Hlaverstick. Elizabeth became the wife of
Benjamin Buekwalter. Martin Mylin hved to a good old age, his death occurring in 1812, when he was in his seventy-fifth year.
Daniel Mylin, the father of our subject, was reared on the old homestead, now in the pos- session of his son, and in addition to general farm- ing, has made a specialty of raising and dealing in fine blooded stock. He was a very active Repub- liean, was much interested in educational affairs, and several times was elected to serve as School Director of this township. By his marriage with Elizabeth Iless he had a family of four children, in order of birth as follows: Fannie, Benjamin B., Elizabeth and Mary. The mother of these chil- dren was a daughter of Henry Hess, a wealthy and influential citizen of Lancaster County.
Benjamin B. Mylin obtained his primary educa- tion in the schools of West Lampeter Township, which was supplemented by a term of three months at the Mt. Joy Academy, of Mt. Joy, this state. Ilis first active employment in life was on the farm where he was born, and which has since been the scene of lus labor. This property was purchased from William Penn about 1636, by the ancestors of the Alder family; as it now stands there are about ninety aeres within its boundaries and the farm is considered one of the best in the township. Our subject has recently purchased of A. S. Mylin one hundred and two acres of land that was pur- chased of William Penn about the year 1636; it had never changed hands since the purchase of Penn till September 26, 1891, the property having : been handed down from one generation to another. It is especially adapted to the raising of fine stock, and the owner gives considerable of his time and attention to this branch of business. The farm is well improved, having good fences and substantial buildings. A deep well and small creek give abun- dance of water for stock and other purposes, and on the place are a fine orchard, numbers of beautiful shade trees and everything necessary for the com- fort and convenience of the family. Mr. Mylin is a practical and thorough agriculturist, who gives his personal attention to every detail of farm work, and takes great pride in keeping everything in the best repair.
In 1857 Mr. Mylin was married to Miss Mary
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Good, and of their union have been born three chil- dren, namely: Lizzie G., D. Clayton and Emlin B. The parents have long been members of the German Reformed Church, and active workers in the or- ganization. As previously mentioned, Mr. Mylin has been active in local political affairs, has been several times a School Director, and for one term served as Township Supervisor.
OHIN E. SCHIUM is a member of the famous old house known as Philip Schum, Son & Co., of Lancaster, which was established in 1856, and since that time has been en- gaged in the manufacture of quilts, counterpanes, coverlets, blankets. carpets, etc. The firm do a large and successful business, and have a reputation the country over for the finest quality of goods in their line, their trade, which is continually en- larging, covering almost every section of the Union.
John Bond, a native of Germany, was a school teacher, and later became a minister in the Luth- eran Church, in which field he is still laboring. Mrs. Anna Margaret Schum died February 1, 1878, and of her nine children who grew to maturity only six are now living. The second son, Will- iam, was in the Regular United States Army, be- ing a member of Company B. Fourth United States Infantry, and died after he left the service.
John E. Schum was reared in Lancaster, attend- ing the excellent public schools of this city, and then for three terms was a student in the Union Seminary at New Berlin, Pa., after which he grad- uated from a commercial college in Philadelphia. With his father he learned the business of weav- ing and kept the books of the company during his vacations. For his own satisfaction he made a study of the German language, and was equally conversant with German and English. In the year 1863 our subject enlisted as a private in Company 1, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Infantry, being mustered in at llarrisburg, in response to the emergency call. and served at Gettysburg and along the Potomac River. On his return Mr. | Schum went to Washington, D. C., and entered the Government employ as a member of the Home Guard. In 1864. on the invasion of the Capitol by the rebels, he took up arms against the enemy, guarding the Government Flour Mills on the Potomae on the night of April 5, 1865. when Lin- coln was assassinated. In 1878 John E. Sehum be- eame a partner with his father, and in time Charles Holzworth was admitted to the business. The part- ners both thoroughly understand the business in which they are engaged, and their trade is rapidly growing in each of its several departments. The premises they occupy are central and extensive, the machinery used is modern, and they furnish employment to a large number of skilled workmen. In addition to this the firm owns a woolen mill at New Milltown, modernly equipped mills, with good water power.
John E. Schum was born in this eity, August 10, 1846, being a son of Philip, a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, who came to this country in his young manhood and here learned the weaver's trade. lle established the present important house in 1856, being first engaged in weaving quilts and blankets; in time the manufacture of carpets and similar goods was begun, and later the dyeing department became one of its best features. In 1871 the enterprising founder added the coal busi- ness to his other enterprises and succeeded beyond his expectations in his ventures, becoming quite well-to-do. With his second wife he was riding across the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks July 9, 1880, and they were accidently killed, he being then in his sixty-fourth year. For many years prior to his death he was active in the work of the Evan- In Laneaster in 1867 Mr. Schum married Miss Mary J. Hillis, a native of this county, and daugh- ter of lugh Hillis, who is engaged in the boot and shoe business in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. and gelical Church, and in politics he was a stalwart Republican. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Anna Margaret Bond, and her birth occurred in Hesse-Darmstadt. Her father, ! Mrs. Sehum have a pleasant home at No. 311 South
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Prince Street; it is gladdened by the presence of their four children, Lois Alma, Carroll A., Clifford L. and Claudius M.
For some five or six years Mr. Schum has served as a member of the Town Council from the Fourth Ward, having been elected on the Republican ticket, and for four years was a member of the Select Council from the same ward, serving on all important committees, and for four years was Chairman of the Fire Committee. Ile is a member of Monterey Lodge No. 242, I. O. O. F .; is a Knight of Pythias and a member of Blue Cross Castle No. 46, Order of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Ile is President and Past Officer of Lodge No. 108, B. U. H. F., of which he is also Treasurer. Mr. Schum is identified with, and is also numbered among the members of Rey- nolds Post No. 405, G. A. R., having been a dele- gate and representative to the Encampment at Philadelphia and many other places, and at present is Trustee of his post. Active in the work of the church, our subject holds member- ship with St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Con- gregation; he is President of the Board of Trustees and conducts a large Bible class. In politics he is a Republican in the truest and best sense, and in every possible manner assists in the upbuilding and prosperity of this city.
EUBEN SMITH OSTER & BRO. come of one of the very oldest and most respected families of Lancaster County, and are pro- gressive business men. They are engaged in gen- eral blacksmith work, in paving and in artificial stone work, in the successful accomplishment of which they have acquired a very favorable repu- tation.
Reuben Smith Oster was born in Lancaster, which has since been his home, June 1, 1833, bemg a son of William and Elizabeth ( Major) Oster. Both parents and both grandfathers of our subject
were also natives of this city. William Oster, the paternal grandfather, was a shoemaker by trade and carried on a shop, doing custom work. During the War of 1812 he took up arms in the defense of his country, and was a noteworthy citizen. llis father, Henry Oster, was also born in this city, on Mulberry Street, before the Revolutionary War, in which he participated. He was of German descent, a shoemaker by trade and a member of the Luth- eran Church. The maternal grandfather, JJesse Major, whose birth occurred in Lancaster, passed his entire life here, engaged in the hatter's and furrier's business. lle married a Miss Anthony, and his ancestors were Scotch.
Our subject's father, William Oster, was a black- smith, and carried on his business by the side of the one run by his sons. His death occurred in 1872, at the age of sixty-one years, while his wife died in 1855, aged forty-two years. The mother of William Oster was a daughter of Wilhelm Smith, who was one of the Hessian soldiers in the Revo- lutionary War. He was taken prisoner at Trenton and was brought to Lancaster, being held for four years in bondage, and serving for a Mr. Crough mn the tanning business; after his release he followed his trade as a shoemaker. William and Elizabeth Oster became the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to mature years, and Reuben S. is the eldest of the family. Henry A. was in the Civil War, in the Pennsylvania Reserves, and is now a blacksmith in this state; Mary A. is the wife of John Evans, of Middletown, Pa .; Elizabeth is Mrs. Francisco, of this city ; Margaret, Mrs. Cheney, also makes her home in this place; Catherine is the wife of James Fulton, of Baltimore; William Major is in partnership with his eldest brother, and .Jacob is foreman in a blacksmith shop in Philadelphia.
Reuben Smith Oster received a common school education in this city, afterward attending the Philadelphia Central High School from 1844 to 1850. On his return to this city he served an ap- prenticeship with Andrew McGinnies for four years and became a practical workman. For a time he worked at journeyman wages, and in 1857 started a shop with his father on the location of the pres- ent business. In August, 1861, he volunteered in the Government service, being placed in the Quar-
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termaster's department as blacksmith, and followed the Army of the Potomac, his work being mainly on wagons. At the end of four months he re- turned home and continued in business. The shop was removed in 1862 and a specialty was made of building railroad ears for individual firms until the father's death in 1872, when our subject took his brother Wilham into partnership. They formerly manufactured railroad tools and cars un- til crowded out by the larger manufacturers. Of late years the firm have drifted into other business ventures and have been quite successful in placing granite curbing, crossing stones, steps and sills, Belgium and Asphalt block. cement and artificial stone work, cellar floors, etc. They employ from twenty-five to forty-five hands, doing much work in the city, and also in the adjoining counties. The cement used in their work is all imported from England and Germany, the stone from Ft. Deposit and Hudson, and the curbing from Maine and Cape May. The office of the firm is at No. 324 North Prince Street.
Formerly a Whig, Mr. Oster is now a stanch Republican and was a member of the City Board of Water Commissioners when the new water works were built. He is a member of Lancaster Lodge No. 67, I. O. O. F .; Washington Encampment No. : 11, and the Odd Fellows' Endowment Association of Allegheny City. He is a member of the Order of Red Men and the Senior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics, belonging to Conestoga Council No. 8, in which he has been an officer three times, and is a member of Lodge No. 68, K. of P. Religiously Mr. Oster holds membership with St. John's Lutheran Church. His substantial home is at No. 435 North Water Street.
William became chief mailing clerk in the Post- office under James II. Marshall, continuing until the change of administration. Since that time be has been engaged in business with his brother, and has shown that he is a young man of good ability.
September 19, 1872, William Oster married Miss Harriet Witmeyer, who was born in Manheim Town- ship, and whose father, Frederick, was a tinsmith there. Mr. and Mrs. Oster have five children: Reuben S., a graduate of the high school and a bookkeeper with Osborn & Hartman; Stella W., also a graduate of the high school and now engaged in teaching school in this city; William Ward, a mem- ber of the Class of '95 in the high school; Nellie and Mary. The home of the family is at No. 520 North Duke Street and they attend St. John's Lutheran Church. Mr. Oster is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Monterey Lodge No. 242, and Wash- ington Encampment No. 11. Besides these he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' Endowment Society of Allegheny City.
FREDRICK ENGLE was born in Lan- caster on the 11th of July, 1835. llis father, Martin M., was a cabinet-maker and wood carver by trade, and established a busi- ness of his own, married and died in early life. Our subject's grandmother, whose maiden name was Catherine Anne, was a native of Lancaster and her father's name was Conrad Anne; the latter located in Lancaster and followed farm- ing. Conrad Anne's wife was the daughter of John Stockslagel, who settled at Lancaster and reared a large family of children. Six or seven of their sons fought in the Revolutionary War. Our subject's mother died at the age of sixty-five years, having reared four children, our subject being the eldest, and the only one who still sur- vives.
William M. Oster, junior member of the firm of R. S. Oster & Bro., was born in Philadelphia, Feb- ruary 18, 1848. llis education was obtained in the public and high schools of Lancaster, and in 1862 he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade with his father. Subsequently he was in the Lan- caster Locomotive Works, and when they were completed worked for some time for the Phila- delphia & Columbia Railroad. Later he returned to work for his father and brother, and in 1872 Mr. Engle received a common school education, became a member of the firm. In 1876 young , and worked in the cotton mills until seventeen
JACOB L. FREY.
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years of age, at which time he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a moulder, after which he went to New Orleans, and in 1857 worked at his trade in that eity about six months; he then returned to Lancaster, where he pursued his trade un- til 1861. when he enlisted in the Tenth Pennsyl- vania Infantry as a member of Company E. He served in the three months' eall, after which he re- enlisted in the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania In- fantry as a member of Company K. Ile served three years and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. Ile was mastered out as Sergeant after a four years' service for his country. During the whole time of the Civil War he was never sick or wounded and made an excellent soldier. At the close of the great strife between the north and the south, he worked in the navy yard at Philadelphia until he was retired un- der Andrew Johnson, when he returned to Lan- easter. He was variously engaged until 1871, when he engaged in the bottling business on Rock- land Street. Ile subsequently built two residences and purchased the bottling works of John Casper, the oldest bottler of the city, which business he has greatly extended and made very successful. Ile bottles mineral water, ale, etc., and runs four wagons throughout Lancaster County.
In 1886 he purchased a thirty-three acre tract at the foot of South Prince Street, which has proven a valuable property. Another one of our subject's enterprises was the erection of a large ho- tel known as Engleside Hotel, which he rents. In 1893, the Citizens Electrie Light Works were organ- ized and he became a stockholder. He also owns a gristmill, provided with water-power and gas, producing about thirty horse-power.
Our subject was married at Lancaster to Eliza- beth Suter, a native of the same place and the daughter of Rudolph Suter, a shoemaker by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Engle have had five interesting chil- dren: Rudolph, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Katie, at home; Fred, in charge of the bot- tling works; Godfred, attending a horological in- titute, and Lewis, at home.
Our subject is a worthy member of Perfection Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Odd Fellows. Ile is numbered among the old
veterans of the late war, and belongs to George II. Thomas Post No. 81. G. A. R. Politically he is a Republican, and in religious matters is identi- lied with the Reformed Church.
1 ACOB L. FREY is the oldest leaf tobacco dealer in the city of Lancaster, and through his untiring industry and good business qual- ifications has accumulated a handsome com- peteney. Of his early life it may be said that he was born in Lancaster July 29, 1825. His father and grandfather, both of whom bore the name of .Jacob, were also born in this locality, and the latter was among the early general dealers and owned valuable property on West King Street. At one time they kept a large wholesale establishment, the goods for which were freighted in by Conestoga wagons, as this was long prior to the advent of railroads. The family is of German origin, Grand- father Frey having emigrated with a brother from Germany and settled in Lancaster County. In re- ligions belief he was a member of the German Re- formed Church.
Our subject's father was a volunteer in the War of 1812, but his company being already made up, he was never in active service. Later he engaged in general merchandising on West King Street and followed the retail business until his death, in 1869, at which time he was seventy-seven years of age. When the Pennsylvania Railroad belonged to the state he was the accountant for that great highway system. Ile was a member of the Com- mon Council for a number of years, and in what- ever position he was placed, always acquitted him- self manfully. In religious matters he was an ad- herent to the German Reformed Church.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Maria Haverstick, was born in Lancaster County, and was the daughter of William Haverstick, a na- tive of Philadelphia. She died in 1876, aged
14
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
eighty-two years. By her marriage to Jacob Frey the following nine children were born and reared: Catherine, widow of Jacob King, and a resident of Lancaster; William IL., residing in Milltown, N. J .; Annie, the widow of Isaac Diller; Jacob L., the sub- ject of this sketch; Amanda, who is the widow of Jacob Roth and resides at Marietta; Maria. Mrs. John B. Markley, of Lancaster: Emiline. Mrs. John D. Skiles, of Lancaster; James B., who died in March, 1891; and Adaline, wife of Dr. Fred Gast, of Lancaster.
Within the environments of his native city our subject spent his early life attending the public schools and a private school, also assisting his par- ents. When a mere boy he commenced clerking in his father's store, learning the business in all its details, and at the age of nineteen years he engaged in the manufacture of cigars on his own account, beginning in a small way. and has been constant.y engaged in the tobacco business since 1854. As | early as 1846 he took the first three cases ever sent from Lancaster County to New York City, and followed that line of work from time to time. Hle manufactured cigars until 1884, and had in his em- ploy as many as forty men at one time. He took ont the lirst license for the manufacture of cigars in his county, as well as the first in the Ninth Dis- triet of Pennsylvania. He built a large warehouse and factory, and not infrequently packed fifteen hundred cases per annum. Within the corporation of Lancaster he owns a twenty-five acre tract which is constantly being improved for city property purposes. Ilis residence at Nos. 213-215 West King Street is on the site of the old homestead, erected about 1827.
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