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 42
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July 28. 1851, in the above mentioned residence, long since gray with age. our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline llanum, a native of Lancaster. ller father, Joseph Hanum, was born in Germany, but came to Lancaster at an early day and was engaged in the bakery business on West King Street. By this union the following named children were born: Mr -. Cecelia Frey, of Lancaster County: William, who died in boyhood; Mrs. Mary Rathbon, of Danville, Va .; Mrs. Annie Voorhees, of Milltown, N. J .: Emma, Mrs. Shaeffer, who died in Lancaster; Charles II., a boot and shoe dealer of
Lancaster; William D., associated with our subject; Ella, lames F. and Lillie, at home.
Politically Mr. Frey has always affiliated with the Democratic party and served two terms in the Common Council from the First Ward in Lancas- ter, being elected on the Democratic ticket, not- withstanding the fact that the ward was Republi- can. Hle is a consistent member of St. Paul's Re- formed Church and stands high in the community in which he lives. In looking back over the years of a well spent life, he has the satisfaction of know- ing that he has in a measure succeeded in reach- ing the ambition of his youthful days. As he ap- proaches the sundown of life, he is gradually retiring from active business and will from this time on give his attention to his real estate inter- ests.
S AMUEL M. MYLIN has devoted his life almost entirely to farming, and with the result that he is now numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of Pequea Town- ship. lle is highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors, who have frequently called upon him to serve in public affairs. Like a true patriot and good citizen, the cause of education finds in him a friend, and for one term he served as a School Director. For a period of over twenty years, he has officiated in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, and his honorable and upright methods in all the walks of life have gained for him much praise.
Abram Mylin, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born .Fuly 30, 1775, in West Lampeter Township. Like his descendants, he was a farmer, following that occupation for many years upon the property owned by John B. Mylin, in West Lampeter Township. Ilis son, Abram B., the fa- ther of Samuel M. Mylin, passed the main part of his life in Pequea Township, and from his early years was a farmer. On arriving at manhood, he chose for his wife Miss Elizabeth Myers. Of
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their marriage three sons were born: Samuel M., Franklin; and Abram, whose death occurred on the 15th of March, 1878. The father was a de- voted member of the Old Mennonite Church, and was a very honorable and worthy man in every respect. Politically he was a Whig, and was ac- tively interested in his party affairs. His fellow- townsmen elected him Supervisor at two different times, and he acquitted himself in a most credit- able manner of all the duties devolving upon him in that capacity. As a supporter of educational affairs he is zealous, and as far as possible lends his assistance to progress in this direction. For four terms he served as School Director, and was al- ways in favor of obtaining the best teachers possi- ble and in giving the children good advantages.
The birth of Samuel M. Mylin occurred Novem- ber 30, 1841. in Pequea Township, and his early years were passed upon his father's farm. Until attaining his sixteenth year, he was a student in the common school of the neighborhood during the winter seasons, and was of great assistance to his father in general farm work. Under the prae- tical training of the latter, he became conver-ant with every department of agriculture, and this knowledge has proved most valuable to him in his later years. The farm which he owns and eulti- vates at the present time contains fifty acres. which is well improved with good fences, barns and outbuildings.
The pleasant and thrifty home of Mr. Mylin is presided over by his estimable wife, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Breneman, to whom he was married in November, 1870. Three sons and four daughters have come to bless their union, and in the order of birth are as follows: Anna L., Chris- tian B., Martha, Samuel, Frances, Martin and Alice. Their parents are giving them good educational ad- vantages, and the family are highly respected and well thought of by their friends and neighbors.
Mr. Mylin nses his right of franchise in the sup- port of Republican principles and nominees, tak- ing a very active and interested part in local and National politics. Ile is a strong believer in the idea of protection for American industries, and is a man who is well informed on the general and current affairs of the day. Ile takes the leading
local newspapers and periodicals, thus keeping fully abreast of the times in matters of moment and progress.
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HARRY BRIMMER, who, in company with his brother, John F., is carrying on the business of a liveryman in Lancaster, is a shrewd business man and is making a success of his enterprise. He is honorable in his dealings with Ins fellow-men, and is regarded with a due measure of esteem by those about him.
Frederick Brimmer, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, and emigrated for the New World when a lad of fourteen years. Ilis father, George Brimmer, was also born in the Fatherland, and came with his family to the United States and spent the remainder of his life in Lancaster. The father of our subject was reared on a farm, and when old enough apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a baker. after which he established him- self in business on Water Street in this city, and later on North Queen Street.
In 1872 Frederick Brimmer abandoned the occu- pation of a baker and started in the livery busi- ness, building up a good patronage and conducting the business until his decease in 1887. lle was a member of the Common Council from the Sixth Ward on one occasion, and was ever found to be true to the duties and responsibilities imposed upon him in that official position. He was a de- voted member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, in which he was Elder for some time. He was mar- ried to Miss Christine Poist, also a native of the Fatherland, who came to America with her father, Peter Poist. She died in 1861.
The parental family of our subjeet included nine children, only three of whom grew to mature years, and two are now living. On the death of his first wife Frederick Brimmer was married to Harriet Lively, of Philadelphia, who is still living in Lancaster. C. Harry, of this sketch, was the eld- est of the family, and his brother John F. is en-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
gaged in business with him. The latter is also engaged in dealing in leaf tobacco, which is found to be a very protitable business in this state.
Our subject was born in Lancaster. November 1. 1853. and was educated in the common and high schools of the city. Completing his education at the age of fifteen years, young Brimmer learned the baker's trade under his father, working with him until the latter quit the business, when he carried on the bakery alone for two years. At the end of that time he sold out and engaged with Ins father in the livery business, being his clerk and the manager of the office. On his death, he succeeded to the business in company with his brother. The stable is located at No. 153 North Queen Street, and occupies a space 35x215 feet in size. The first floor is occupied by the horses' stalls, the second door is used for storing carriages, and the third for sleighs. They have in their barn about fifty head of horses and a splendid assortment of all kinds of rigs.
The original of this sketch was married in 1876 to Miss Margie, daughter of Benjamin Henwood, a shoe manufacturer of this city, To them have been born live children, Howard, Daisy. Charles, Mary and Clarence, the two latter being twins. The family occupy a comfortable residence at No. 145 East Chestnut Street. In social affairs Mr. Brim- mer is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and in religious affairs belongs to St. Paul's Reformed Church.
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S Y TEVEN J. OWENS, ex-City Treasurer of Lancaster, now an extensive dealer in pianos and organs, will form the subject of this notice. Of Ins early career it may be said that he was born in Uniontown, Carroll County, Md .. September 22. 1850, and is the son of Rev. John C. Owens, a native of Cecil County, Md. Grand- father Owens was a farmer of the same state, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. In the true sense of the word, our subjeet's father was a self-made man; in religious matters he was a Methodist, and
later in life preached for the Church of God. In 1862 he removed to Mt. Joy, where he became pastor of that church. and subsequently preached at numerous places, including Altoona and Lan- easter. Ile retired from the ministry in 1878 and died in 1882. aged seventy-seven years.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Naney Miller, was a native of Smithville, Laneaster County, Pa. The Millers were farmers by oceupa- tion. and were of German descent. The mother still lives with our subjeet, having attained the advaneed age of eighty-one years. There were two children in the family, our subject, Steven J., and Jennie E., now Mrs. Luchenbach, of Laneaster.
Steven J. Owens spent his youthful days at various places attending the public schools until reaching the age of thirteen years, soon after which he learned telegraphy at Mt. Joy. At the age of fourteen he was placed in charge of a sta- tion at that point, and continued with the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company at Harrisburg, Little- town, Elizabethtown and other points until 1881, when he located at Lancaster in the grocery and fruit trade, which line he followed for two years. lle then embarked in the music business, locating at No. 24 North Queen Street in a building 15x90 feet in dimensions, in which he carried a large stock of the best makes of pianos and organs.
December 12. 1876, marked a new era in this man's life, for upon that day he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Greider, a native of Lancaster County, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Greider, of Mt. Joy. Two children bless this union: Lulu and Paul. Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and among the local offices he has held may be mentioned that of member of the School Board from the Sixth Ward, which position he held for three years. In 1892 he was elected by the City Council as Treas- urer and Receiver of Taxes for Lancaster; this po- sition was unsolicited upon his part. Through his hands passed 8450,000 during that year.
Socially Mr. Owens is a member of the Masome fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., as well as to Perfection Lodge, Sixteenth De- gree. Ile is an acceptable member of the Church of God; has held official positions in the elinreh,
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and was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for six years. Our subject's residence at No. 601 North Duke Street is a handsome property, and everything about the premises gives evidence that both himself and his wife are intelligent people, who have thus far made life a success both socially and financially.
ACOB S. SMITHI, Keeper of the Lancaster County Prison, has made a good record while serving in that important position, and never during his experience as such has a prisoner made his escape, which has not formerly been the ease. For nine years he was Assistant Keeper, and at the end of his present term he will have served a like period of time as sole Superintendent. He is an indefatigable worker, and sees to the improvement of the grounds surrounding the [ rison, which bear marks of his ability as a landscape gardener.
Jacob Smith was born in New Holland, Earl Township, of this county, February 10, 1828, and his father, William, a native of Maryland, was a shoemaker by occupation, and after his removal to New Holland served for one term as Constable. His death occurred there about 1877, at the age of eighty-four years. Hle was of English deseent. and up to the time of his death was a very active man. Ilis wife, Mary, was born in Earl Town- ship, being the daughter of Jacob Sheffer, also a native of the same township, who followed farm- ing. Mrs. Smith, who became the mother of six children, of whom four survive, died when about sixty-nine years of age. The parents were Luth- erans in religious belief.
Jacob S, was reared in New Holland, receiving a common school education. He was early set to work on a farm, and learned by practical experi- ence how to properly conduct agricultural enter- prises. When sixteen years old he was appren- ticed to learn the tailor's trade with Daniel Rudy, of Hinkletown. At the end of two years he
worked at various other places, and then was un- der instruction in Philadelphia for six months. For the year following he was in Mechanicsburg engaged in business for himself, thence went to North Holland, where he worked as a merchant tailor for twelve years for Diller. Brubaker & Co. In 1867 he received the appointment to act as underkeeper, being chosen by the Prison Board, and every year for mine years was re-appointed to serve in that capacity. In 1876 he retired and en- gaged in the hotel business, running the Sorrel Horse Hotel under the title of Smith & Eaby for a year. Afterwards for three years he was at the Leopard. and for a like period of time ran the County House Hotel. Buying a farm for his next venture, he kept a hotel on the Strasburg Pike three and a-half miles from the city, the property surrounding the same comprising forty acres.
In the spring of 1887 Mr. Smith was nominated as a candidate for Keeper of the Prison, and was elected in the fall of that year. In January, 1888, he took possession in his new office, faithfully per- forming the duties thereto for his allotted term, and in the spring of 1890 was again up for elec- tion, and received nearly all the votes of the of- ticials. Once more, in the spring of 1893, he was one of ten persons up for nomination and won the victory, receiving a majority of three thousand two hundred and thirty-eight votes. The inmates of the prison usually number from one hundred to one hundred and tifty persons, and under the system prevalent here they are put to work at useful trades, being engaged in the manufacture of shoes, carpets, nets and stockings, besides which they make their own clothes. Mr. Smith takes great pride in the appearance of the prison grounds, and has a fine hot house. An active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, he served for one year as Township Assessor, and was for four years Tax Col- lector in New Holland.
A marriage was celebrated in Slaterville, March 27, 1852, by which Lavinia Setley became the wife of J. S. Smith. Both she and her father, Samuel Setley, were natives of Reading County, Pa. The latter was a brick manufacturer, who about 1810 engaged in that trade in New Holland. His wife, Margaret (Homan) Setley, was born in Reading,
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and both passed away in New Holland. Mrs. Smith is the third of four living children of her father's family, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Belle, Mrs. Stacks. who lives with our subject; Annie, whose death occurred at the age of eighteen years in this city; Holman Strausburg, Superintendent of the coach works, and Albert, who is in the postotlice in this city. Mr. Smith is a member of Earl Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Lancaster Encampment, and is associated with the Order of Red Men. In religious faith he is a Lutheran.
S IMON SHISSLER, who is a cigar manufac- turer, and conducts a large retail business in this line, was formerly President of the Common Council of Lancaster, and is a leading Democrat, having served for several years as Secretary of the City Democratic Committee. He is an active and enterprising business man, coming from good old German stock, to whose worthy and sterling characteristics is due almost entirely the wealth of this region.
The birth of Mr. Shussler occurred in Paradise Township, of this county, April 16. 1856, and he is a son of Jacob and Susan (Snyder) Shissler, natives of Manor Township and Strasburg. re- speetively. The paternal grandfather, John Shis- sler, came from an old family who have been resi- dents of this county for over two hundred years, and his birth also occurred in Manor Township, where he died at a good old age. His ancestors originated in Germany and were devoted adher- ents of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Shissler, the father, was a cooper by trade and built the large The marriage of our subject was celebrated here in 1879 to Miss Alice Anderson, who was born in Warrenton, Va. Her father, Perry Anderson, was formerly engaged in business in the Old Dominion and retired to make his home in this city after the war. Mr. and Mrs. Shissler have a substantial distillery near Strasburg. In 1858, coming to Laneaster, he took charge of the cooperage shop owned by Philip Baker, and served in that capacity until his death in 1868, when he was about sixty- three years of age, his birth having occurred in 1805. On his father's side the family is long , residence at No. 119 Charlotte Street, and are the
lived: our subject's grandmother was ninety-eight Years old at the time of her demise. The wife of Jacob Shissler is still living in this city at the age of seventy-eight years, and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. The father was previously married to a Miss Miller, by whom he had seven children, five of whom were sons, and four of the number participated in the Civil War. Jacob was a member of Company 1, Seventy-ninth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and met his death in the service, in which he had bravely fought for about three years. Albert, a member of the same company and regiment, was a Captain, and died while a prisoner at Andersonville. Philip and Amos were both members of the Fiftieth Pennsylvania Militia, and the former is now a resident of Strasburg, his brother also making his home near that city The own brother and sister of Simon hissler are. Anna, Mrs. Binkley, of Philadelphia, and Harry, of Lancaster.
From the time he was two years old our subject was reared in this city, and was only in his twelfth year at the time of his father's death. A year later he commenced an apprenticeship under John Hull, with whom he remained for three years, be- coming a practical cigarmaker. Later he was a journeyman with Albright & Bros. and Metzger & Wiley until 1885. At that time he received an appointment as letter carrier in the Postoffice De- partment, which he served for four years. In June, 1889, Mr. Shissler embarked in business for himself as manufacturer of eigars at No. 524 North Queen Street. This stand is one of the most popular cigar stores in the city, and here may be found the finest goods in the trade. In the rear of the store is located the cigar factory, where seven hands are kept constantly employed. Sice 1869 Mr. Shissler has been engaged in the eigar business and makes a specialty of the finest grades, employing the best workmen to be obtained.
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parents of two children, Harry and Clyde. Mrs. Shissler is a member of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church and is a lady of great refinement and education.
In 1890 Simon Shissler was elected as a member of the City Council from the First Ward, which is Republican, but was carried with a good majority by the Democrats. He served acceptably for one term, and in 1892 was elected President of the Council by a large majority. As such he served on the Special Water Committee, which in 1892 placed in operation the ten million gallon pumps. The following year he removed to the Fifth Ward, where he is still making his home. Ile belongs to Lodge No. 43. F. & A. M., and is also affiliated with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Knights of Malta and the Junior Order of American Me- chanics. For several years our subject was Presi- dent of the Cigarmakers Branch of the Knights of Labor, and was Representative and Delegate to Harrisburg in order to have certam laws passed in the interest of the labor organizations of this city.
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IHLIP RUDY, one of the important busi- ness factors of the city of Lancaster, en- gaged in the manufacture of and retail trade in harness, was born in Mechanicsburg, Lan- easter County, Pa., on the 19th of February, 1846. lle is the son of Elias Rudy, a native of the same county, whose father was of German descent, and both were devoted to farming. Our sub- jeet's father was a stonemason by trade, locating in Lancaster in 1851, where he worked at that trade, and was also a teamster in the army during the late war. Ile died at the age of seventy-six years, in 1890. Ile was a consistent member of the German Reformed Church, in which society he held numerous official positions. In polities he was a Republican. Our subject's mother, Anna Elizabeth (Fenstermaker) Rudy, was a native of Lancaster County, and lived on a farm near the
city. She passed from earth in 1893, aged seven- ty-six years.
Our subjeet is one of a family of nine children. all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and seven of whom are now living. John W., who was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Pennsylvania Regiment. and now resides at Lan- caster. Henry, who was also in the army, a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Penn- sylvania Regiment, now resides at Lancaster.
Mr. Rudy was reared in Lancaster, and educated in the public schools of this city. At the age of twelve years he went to work in a cotton mill. and four years later was apprenticed to learn the harness and saddlery trade, but in 1861, when the Civil War eloud threatened the life of the nation, he left the shop, and volunteered as a member of Company G. One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Penn- sylvania Infantry, and was mustered in at Harris- burg for one hundred days, after which he re- turned to the harness trade, continuing until 1868 in the same shop. At this date he engaged with a Mr. Musser, with whom he was employed until 1876. when he engaged in business for himself, opening a shop in the basement of a building at No. 241 North Queen Street. In 1890 he built his present commodious quarters. Ilis building is 34x74 feet, three stories in height. The first floor of this building is provided with glass cases, fifty feet in length, extending from the floor to the eeil- ing, in which a fine display of his goods is made. including ready made harness of all styles, robes, horse blankets, turf goods and horse supplies. Seven workmen are employed constantly in this shop, and month by month the business is increas- ing under the skillful management of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the business in which he is engaged.
Our subject was united in marriage in October, 1872, to Miss Anna Elizabeth Sheer, a native of Lancaster. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. F. Sheer. Mrs. Rudy's father is a retired confectioner. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy are the parents of five children: Mary E., William Sheer, Anna Grace, Marian F. and Philip Harold.
Mr. Rudy is an honored member of the Inde-
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pendent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as of Lodge No. 68. K. of P .. and of the Endowment Rank of the same order. For several years he has also been identified with the Ancient Order of United Work- men and Knights of the Golden Eagle. lle is an acceptable member of the Lutheran Church, in which work he has ever taken an active part, and is a member of the Church Council. Politically, Mr. Rudy believes that the best interests of the country are maintained by a loyal support of the Republican party.
H ENRY A. BRADY is senior member of Brady's Edged Tool Works, this business having been established in 1805 by his grandfather, David Brady, thus being one of the oldest industries in the country. The firm is known as William Brady & Sons, and their wares are in great demand, as they have been for many decades, and the work put forth by this concern is uniformly excellent in quality of material and fine workmanship. In the late war II. A. Brady went to the defense of the Union, and in times of peace likewise has shown himself to be a patriotic and loyal citizen.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, David Brady, was a son of Alexander Brady, a native of the northern part of Ireland, who came in the last century to Laneaster County, and was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. David Brady learned his trade from Val lloffman, in this locality, and engaged in business for himself in Mt. Joy in 1824, having there removed his works from Lan- caster. Ilis son William continued the business after his death, in 1843. Subsequently he built a new shop and introduced steam power, increasing and constantly enlarging the works. They were destroyed by fire in 1872 and the same year were rebuilt, but in 1875 it was found best to remove the plant to Lancaster. In 1857 William Brady was the first to manufacture feed cutter knives,
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