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 45
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In Lancaster a marriage was celebrated in 1817, by which Miss Harriet McCulley became the wife of Squire Gundaker. The lady was born in this city, being a daughter of John McCulley. Eleven children came to grace this union, all but one of whom grew to maturity, though only six are now living. They are as follows: Jacob, a carriage manufacturer of Denver, Colo .; George, a machin- ist and mining engineer in Montana; Samuel, a practical machinist and boiler inspector of Idaho,
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his home being in Boise City; Harry, a blacksmith. who is also a resident of Boise City; and Mary E.and Emma, who live in Lancaster. The faithful wife and mother was called from her home to her final rest in June, 1869.
In his social relations Squire Gundaker belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Lancaster Encampment. Ile num- bers many warm friends in this city, where he has passed his entire life, and on account of his enter- taining stories and reminiscences of former years, and his fund of general information, is a very en- tertaining conversationalist.
H ON. ELIM G. SNYDER is one of the prominent and progressive citizens of Lancaster, who for years has been iden- tified with its development and prosperity. In political affairs particularly. he has been very active in serving the public, and for two terms was a representative in the Pennsylvania Legisla- ture from this district. For two terms he was a member of the City Council and has also been one of the Directors on the School Board for six years. During the time he was in the Legislature he was instrumental in securing the repeal of the bill of Sealer of Weights and Measures, and also the re- peal of the bill passed for the benefit of the prison keeper, thus restoring the prison to the entire con- trol of the county. In every way Mr. Snyder was aggressive in presenting the claims and in stand- ing by the rights of his constituents. For several years past he has been engaged in running a gro- cery and provision store at No. 507 West Lemon Street, where he has a good trade.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Andrew Snyder, was born August 17, 1733, in Switzerland, and came to America with his wife prior to the War of the Revolution, in which he enlisted, and for five years was a member of a company of light horse cavalry. Later he returned to his native
land, where he stayed several years, but embarked again for the I'nited States, and on his arrival was sold to a man of this country to pay his passage. Andrew Snyder died November 4, 1815, at the re- markably advanced age of one hundred and thirteen years. In the Revolutionary War he received a saber wound in a hand to hand combat in the battle of Trenton. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. He was twice married, the grandmother of our subject having been a Miss Peiffer, of Reamstown this county, and they had three sons and two daughters.
John C. Snyder, our subject's father, was reared among.strangers, and in boyhood learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for a livelihood. The principal part of his life was passed in Stras- burg and Paradise Townships, but for the last fif- teen years of his earthly career his home was in Columbia. By his marriage with Jane Givin, he had a family of twelve children, namely: Anna, Elim G .. John W., Margaret, Oliver. Salome, Mar- tha, Elmira, Emma. John S., Edwin and Addie. The father, who was a Republican, and one of the officers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, died when in his ninetieth year, but his wife is still living, being eighty-four years of age. The family is noted for longevity, anda brother of the grand- father, Andrew Snyder, lived to be one hundred and six years old.
Elim G. Snyder was born October 27, 1832, in Paradise Township, this county, and was educated in the district schools of U'pper Leacock Township. which he attended very irregularly. When nine years old he went to live with David Renno, a farmer, to whom he gave his services until becom- ing of age. He was then an employe of the imple- ment manufacturers, II. & A. Stoner. in Lancaster, remaining with them for thirteen years and becom- ing manager and salesman. On the death of Abram Stoner he was made a member of the firm, the partnership continuing for two years. At the end of that time Mr. Snyder obtained a position with George M. Steinman & Co., and was for sev- enteen years in the employ of that company. In 1882 he embarked in the grocery trade at his pres- ent location and is doing very well in this line. Ile is very industrious, persevering and steady, as
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may be seen readily by the long years of service which he gave to his employers, who considered him a valuable man, and since opening in business for himself he has brought to bear upon his affairs the same sturdy characteristics.
Mr. Snyder has been twice married, the first time to Susan Craner, December 21, 1857. The lady was born December 15, 1830, and died Feb- ruary 15. 1861. On the 11th of October, 1861, Mr. Snyder wedded Susannah S. Rowe, whose birth occurred March 14, 1835. Her father was Damel Rowe, formerly a resident of Willis Street, Lan- caster. Mr. Snyder has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially is a Mason, belonging to Lancaster Lodge No. 43. He is Secretary of the Conestoga Mutual Live Stock Insurance Company.
E
T OBLAS LANDIS. The Landis family is very well known in Lancaster County, as ancestors of the present generation settled here when the county was new and when only Indians with a few white settlers were the inhabit- ants. For about two hundred years they have been actively engaged in the upbuilding and progress of the county, which they have literally helped to change from a wilderness to a garden spot. The subject of this narrative owns and oe- cupies one of these homestead farms, which has been handed down from remote times, and which comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres in Peques Township, the nearest postoffice being Millersville. This farm, though never given up by the Landis family, has been since 1826, a period of sixty-eight years, in the hands of tenants, but nevertheless has been so well conducted and super- vised that it is one of the best farms hereabout.
Tobias Landis was born December 24, 1824, in what is now Pequea Township, near Willis Street, Conestoga. His parents were Jolm and Anna (Hoover) Landis, who removed when our subject
was two years old to what is known as the Landis Mills. There the father purchased one hundred and four acres, and on this farm the boyhood of young Tobias was passed, and from his early years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile lived on the same old homestead from 1826 to 1875. Mr. Landis also owns a farm adjoining the old home place, a tract of twenty-three acres, and in addition to this, he is the proprietor of a house on Willow Street, which he now rents to tenants.
The Landis family is fully represented elsewhere in this work, particularly as regards their remote ancestors, who came here from Switzerland. Ilis brothers, Jacob and David, are also elsewhere spoken of in this record. In his political convic- tions Mr. Landis is a Republican and actively in- terested in the welfare of his party. He has served in various local positions of honor and trust, and is a stockholder in the Willis Street, the Marietta, the Millersville and Lancaster, the New Danville and the Beaver Valley Pike Companies. Follow- ing the faith of his forefathers, who were perse- cuted and obliged to leave their native country, Switzerland, on account of their religion, he holds membership with the Old Mennonite Church. Per- sonally he bears an excellent reputation for strict veracity, upright conduct and general good quali- ties, which have endeared him to all with whom he has come in contact.
H ARRY II. ALBRIGHIT, who in February, 1891. was appointed Assistant Postmaster under John E. Malone, in Lancaster, is one of her enterprising young business men. He is a native of this city, his birth having here occurred December 21, 1861. He is of German de- scent, his paternal great-grandfather having been born in the Fatherland. Ihis grandfather, George
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II. Albright, lived in this eity nearly all of his life, and followed the carpenter's trade. Politically he was a Democrat, and as an adherent of the Lu- theran denomination, belonged to the old Trinity Church. In his young manhood he wedded a Miss llensel, and to them were born the following chil- dren: John B., William E., George H., Jr., Emily and Christiana. The eldest daughter became the wife of Dr. Knight, of Lancaster, and the younger was the wife of John Halbach. The father of these children departed this life when in his seventy- second year.
Our subjeet's father, George II. Albright, was born in Lancaster, August 14, 1833, and received a common school education. Ile learned the har- ness-making and saddler's trade, which business he has always followed, but at the present time is liv- ing a retired life. Until the War of the Rebellion broke out he was a very active supporter of the Democratie party, but since that time has never voted. He chose for his wife Miss Sarah E. Black- burn, and they became the parents of six children, namely: George II., William, Sarah, Harry II., Albert K. and Mary Caroline, Mrs. George Koel- ler, of this city. Albert K. is a printer by trade, and Sarah, the third in order of birth, became the wife of Harry Binkly, also a resident of Lancaster. The parents of this family are still living, and are respected citizens of this place.
The education of our subject was obtained in the publie schools, which he attended until reach- ing his seventeenth year. For the next seven years he was employed as a clerk in a grocery business with Charles W. Eckert. For a period of four years and five months he acted in the capacity of letter carrier under II. E. Slaymaker, Postmaster, and as such was first identified with the postal service of the city. Later he entered the employ of John B. Reilly and R. A. Malone, railroad con- tractors, as a clerk and timekeeper. In the early part of 1894 he received his appointment to his present position as Assistant Postmaster, and has discharged the functions of this office to his own credit and to the satisfaction of the general pub- lie. Ile is a leading young Democrat, and has taken active interest in his party's success.
June 5, 1894, Mr. Albright was married in Mari-
etta, Pa., to Belle S., daughter of Philip Kline, a respected resident of that place. Mrs. Albright was born in Marietta and there grew to woman- hood, receiving an excellent education, and is an accomplished and cultured lady.
M ICHIAEL F. STEIGERWALT is one of the prominent and influential business men of Lancaster, and has done his full share toward the improvement and development of his community. He was for many years ae- tively engaged in business in the city, but he now gives his entire attention to looking after his pri- vate interests. Ile is President of the City Board of Health, and is an exceedingly clever and agree- able gentleman, liberal and public-spirited.
Our subjeet was born on South Queen Street, this city, October 16, 1831, and is the son of Henry Steigerwalt, whose birth occurred at the same place September 30, 1801. Grandfather Frederick Stei- gerwalt was also a native of this city, and was born near Willow Street. He worked at the earpenter's trade during his life, and died when a young man. Grandfather Steigerwalt served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in religious affairs was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church.
The father of our subject learned the trade of a carpenter early in life. Like his honored father, he too was a member of the Lutheran Church, and departed this life in 1878. He was married to Miss Mary Trissler, a native of this city and the daughter of Jolin Trissler, a butcher by trade. Ile was also the possessor of what was known as Shad Island, and was an expert fisherman and pigeon catcher. Mr. Trissler served in the War of 1812, being a soldier for three years. He was a member of the Moravian Church, and died in 1840. The mother of our subject departed this life when three- seore years and ten.
The parental family comprised ten children, all of whom grew to mature years, and five are still
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living. William served through the entire Civil War as a member of Company K. Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. At the battle of Perry- ville he was wounded in the left shoulder, but did not leave the service. He is now deceased, de- parting this life in Lancaster in 1885. Samuel, the next in order of birth, was in the nine months' service. Michael F., of this sketch, was the fourth of the family, and until attaining his twelfth year attended the subscription school. Then fitting himself to make his own way in the world, he he- gan learning the carpenter's trade, serving an ap- prenticeship under Michael and Daniel Erisman. Prior to reaching his majority he engaged in con- tracting and building on his own account, which business be followed for a time, and then opened up a coal yard at Reikert's Landing, which he operated until 1863. At the same time he worked a stone quarry and carried on a good business as a dealer in ice.
In 1862 our subject, in company with a Mr. Cox, engaged in the manufacture of army wagons, oper- ating together until the fall of 1864. when Mr. Steigerwalt purchased the property where Norbeck now is, and carried on the business alone until 1870. That year he disposed of his interests in this line and began contracting and building, fol- lowing that business until the fall of 1877, when he again opened up a coal yard, this time on Northi Water Street under the firm name of Steigerwalt & Son. In 1881, however, he turned his halt of the business over to his younger son, and since that time has given his attention to building and sell- ing houses. He has erected over one hundred houses in the city, all of which he has disposed of at a good advance, with the exception of fourteen which he still has in his possession.
Our subject is one of the most prominent men in the city, and is a charter member of the Cones- toga Bank, of which he is still Director. Ile was married in this city in 1852 to Miss Martha Rock, also a native of this county and the daughter of John Rock, a potter by trade, but who is now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Steigerwalt have been granted four children, William II., who is a shoe merchant at No. 1015 Chestnut Street, Philadel- phia; Edwin C. and Elmer, engaged in the coal
business in this city, and Bertha, now the wife of II. T. Hlays, Cashier of the Orange Growers' Bank in Ihverside County, Cal.
Mr. Steigerwalt was elected a member of the Common Council in 1863, and also filled the same position from the Third Ward in 1884. Ile has been President of the Board of Health for many years, and for a period of twelve years has been Trustee of the Lancaster Cemetery Association. In social affairs he is an Odd Fellow of good stand- ing, with which he has been connected since 1851. lle has passed all the chairs in that order, and has been Representative to the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia. He is also a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 43. As a citizen Mr. Steigerwalt is on the side of every social and moral reform; as a neighbor he is kind, and as a friend stanch and true. The poor and distressed find in him a cheer- ful helper, to whom no appeal is made in vain.
P ETER DORSHEIMER is an extensive and successful wholesale liquor merchant. His store is located centrally, at Nos. 150 and 152 East King Street, Lancaster, and he makes a spe- cialty of fine domestic and imported goods. This gentleman was born in Ilesse-Darmstadt, July 12, 1840. llis father, Peter Dorsheimer, a native of the same locality, was a laborer, and believing that he could better make a livelihood in the United States, set sail for this favored land May 5, 1860, by way of Havre and New York, which point was reached July 5. With his wife and three children he continued his journey to this county, where he located on a farm and became well-to-do. In later life he retired from business, making his home in this city, and here his death occurred at the age of eighty-two years. Ilis wife, who was in her girl- hood Anna M. Jenner, was born in Ilesse-Darm- stadt and was a daughter of Philip Jenner, a fine mechanic and a highly educated man. lle was for years engaged in the manufacture of clay stoves
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and in similar lines of production. His brother, Dr. Edward Jenner, was the celebrated discoverer of vaccination, which has been such a boon to man- kind in the prevention of that dread disease, small- pox. Mrs. Dorsheimer, who came from a wealthy as well as renowned family, was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, continuing in the same until her death, at the age of seventy-six years. She was the mother of seven children, one of whom lives in Germany, and the others in Lancaster County.
The subject of this record received his education in his native land, and was a young man of nine- teen years when lie came to America with the other members of the family. ITis heart has always fondly clung to the Fatherland, and during the past eight years he has made four trips to Germany. On coming to Lancaster County he obtained em- ployment on a farm, devoting himself to agricul- tural pursuits for about five years. Ile next turned his attention to the hotel business, becoming owner of the Shemdon House in Lancaster. After a time he went to Soudersburg, but later returned to this place. Becoming identified with the real-estate business, he bought considerable property and erected residenees on the same, often employing from eighty to one hundred men in their construc- tion. About this time he first returned to Ger- many, where he remained for a year, and on coming back to this state, started his two sons in the build- ing business in Philadelphia. Two of his sons are engaged in the carriage and coach business at Coatesville. and two others are in the same line of trade at the Gap. In 1887 Mr. Dorsheimer started in the wholesale liquor trade in Lancaster, having a fine location and keeping in stock the best brands. Ilis store has a frontage of thirty-two and one-half feet and is ninety-six feet in depth, and this space is fully occupied by his bottled goods.
In 1860 our subject was married in this city to Miss Anna E. Stauffer, who was born in Berne, on the Rhine, where she was reared until attaining her twentieth year. By this union twelve children have been born, and not one of the number has been summoned by the hand of death. In or- der of birth they are as follows: Daniel, Frank, Ada, Harry, George, Mary, Jolm, Lizzie, Benjamin,
Martin, Garfield and Arthur. Daniel and Harry are in business at the Gap; Frank and George are located in Coatesville; John and Martin are in Phila- delphia; Lizzie is at Reading; Mary resides in New- ark, N. J .; Benjamin is in business with his father, and the others are at home. The parents and older members of the family are attendants of St. Paul's Reformed Church. Politically our subject is an ac- tive worker in the ranks of the Republican party.
RED B. FREY is a member of a wealthy family, who have long been noted for their ability as financiers and agriculturists in Lancaster County. The fine farm of two hundred and fourteen acres which he owns is one of the best in Manor Township, and the larger portion of the tract is under cultivation. Upon it are vari- ous substantial improvements which he has made since becoming its proprietor. Here his birth oc- eurred October 2, 1855, and here he has passed al- most all of his life, the place having formerly be- longed to his father.
Jacob Frey, the paternal grandfather of Fred B., was born and reared in Manor Township, and devoted his attention to the management of a farm. In politics he was a Wing, and in religious matters was a man of sincere Christian faith. Of his family of eleven children, Fred, our subject's father, was the eldest. At the time of his death, the latter was one of the most extensive farmers and business men of the county. Ile owned farms aggregating over seven hundred acres, four of these adjoining, and one of one hundred acres located in Pequea Township. Besides these he owned a house in Manor Township and other property. He was a self-made man, having acquired his fortune by his qualifications of industry, economy and persever- ance, and he never abandoned the legitimate lines of trade, holding every kind of speculation in ab- horrence. Ile took great pride in stock-raising, keeping the best grades. Three times married. his
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first wife, Elizabeth, bore hitn seven children. Ilis second marriage was with Fannie Benedick, and they had two children, Fred B., our subject, and Barbara Ann, who died at the age of three years. llis third union was childless.
The early education of our subject was obtained in the common schools of Manor Township, where he pursued his studies until reaching the age of eighteen years. To his father he gave his assist- ance in carrying on the homestead until he had attained his majority, when he was married, but still continued to make his home on the old farm, which he operated for his father until becoming owner of the property. This farm is one of the most valuable and finely located estates in the county, and the air of thrift that pervades the place reflects eredit upon the owner.
Mr. Frey was united in marriage with Miss Alice Forrey, who was born in Manor Township. Her father. Henry Forrey. is one of the leading agri- culturists and prosperous citizens of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Frey are members of and active work- ers in the church, and are a worthy couple, who strive by their upright lives to exemplify their religious belief. They have had eight children, as follows: Irene, Katie, Antiss, Forrey, Ira, Min- nie. Fannie and Lottie. All are living except Antiss, who died at the age of two years. In his political affiliations Mr. Frey is a very strong Re- publican, and is zealous in everything pertaining to the welfare of his party. Ile is a man of pro- gressive ideas, and is in favor of giving to the children of this generation the best possible educa- tional advantages that they may be litted for the duties of life.
ILLIAM T. HOCHI. prescription drug- gist, has one of the very finest busi- ness locations in Lancaster, his store being situated at Zahms Corner, on Penn Square. The proprietor has a large wholesale as well as re- tail trade and makes a specialty of many reme-
dies and toilet artieles which he manufactures and prepares himself. Ile is thoroughly conversant with chemistry and is a practical druggist and prescription clerk, having a registered certificate to that effect.
The birth of Mr. Hoch occurred at Blue Fields, Mosquito Coast, Nicaragua, December 21, 1865, Ilis father, Rev. J. Iloch, was born in Switzerland and was ordained in London, being sent as a missionary to Central Africa by the Episcopal de- nomination. On account of poor health he was obliged to resign, and returned to London, whence he came to America. In 1859 he went as mission- ary to the West Indies, where he was actively en- gaged in work for about ten years. On his death, in 1869, his remains were placed to rest at St. Thomas, West Indies. Ile had married in Lan- caster Miss Frances Erisman, a native of this city. Her father, Daniel, was also born in this place. followed the occupation of carpentering and building, and was a large contractor. He was a member of the Moravian Church. in the faith of which he died when seventy-two years of age. Mrs. Iloch is still living, her home being in Lancaster, and of her six children William T. is the fourth in order of birth. llis boyhood was principally passed at St. Kito, in the West Indies, until 1870, when with his mother he came to Lan- caster.
For some years Mr. Hoch was a student in Naz- areth Ilall, where he completed the scientific course and graduated in 1881. From 1882 to 1883 he pursued a special course in chemistry at the same institution, and in the last named year became a clerk with a Lancaster druggist. On the 4th of November, 1889, he bought out II. B. Cochran and started in business for himself on North Queen Street. March 15, 1890, he removed to his pres- sent location and has a very large general trade. Among the preparations which he compounds we mention a few which are universally known in this locality for their great excellence: Hoch's Chaptilla, Cochran's Cream of Roses, Cochran's Corn Cure, Cochran's Quinine Hair Tonic, and others.
November 2, 1892, Mr. Iloch was married in Ft. Washington, Montgomery County, Pa., to Miss
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