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 51
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Our subject has been twice married, his first wife having been Mary, daughter of Jacob Fran- eiseus, and to them were born the following chil- dren : Frank, a member of his father's firm; Ella, wife of Thomas C. Wiley, and Florence, at home. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Sprecher mar- ried Martha, daughter of Isaac Lewis of Piermont. A daughter, Lillian, has been born of this union. The pleasant residence of the family is surrounded by a large and well kept lawn with shrubbery.
ACOB PONTZ is engaged in the manufacture of briek at Charlotte Street and Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster. Ile is a very successful business man, and in company with his brother Adam owns much valuable property in the city and elsewhere. Ile is one of the honored veterans of the Rebellion, in which he rose from the ranks to the position of First Lieutenant. His service was of a most arduous nature, and though he took part in scores of important battles and en- gagements, was never wounded.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Pontz. was a native of Germany, who came to America in his young manhood. For several years he was engaged in teaming between the eities of Lancaster, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburg, having an office on Prince between Orange and Chestnut Streets. Ilis death occurred in this eity when he had reached a good old age. He was reared
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in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which he always adhered. His son, our subject's father, George Pontz, Jr., was born in this city, and, like him, engaged in teaming, both for himself and other parties. As a lad of only fourteen years he often made trips alone to Pittsburg, driving six horses, and frequently being gone for four weeks at a time. Ilis death occurred in 1889, when he was nearly eighty-one years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Adam Muskeness, and both were natives of Lancaster. The father was a blacksmith by trade and took part in the War of 1812. Mrs. Pontz died when in her fifty-fifth year, and of her fourteen children all but two grew to maturity. Eight sons and two daughters still sur- vive. Harry is a resident of California; A. JJack, who lives in Massachusetts, is a cigar manufacturer; George, Jacob, Adam, David and John were all members of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment during the late war.
The birth of Jacob Pontz took place November 8, 1838, in this place, and here he was reared to manhood. When fifteen years okl he was appren- ticed under William Cox as a coachsmith and learned the business, which he worked at in Lan- caster and also at White Horse Hotel, of this coun- ty, until the war. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania In- fantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland, being first under General Buell and later under Generals Sherman and Thomas. In com- pany with his regiment he took part in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River. Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, siege of Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and others, and then veteranized, returning home on a thirty days' furlough. Going south again, he actively engaged in the following battles: Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Marietta, Jonesboro, Love Joy Station, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and many others. In the spring of 1865 he was at Bull's Gap and then fell back to Nashville, being later sent by boat to New Orleans and Texas to pro- teet the frontier. At Victoria he was mustered out in December, 1865, and returned home the next month. After the organization of his regiment he was made Corporal, then Third Sergeant and
Orderly Sergeant for two and a-half years, and was later commissioned First Lieutenant of Company K, by Governor Perkins, in April, 1865.
For some time after the close of the war Mr. Pontz worked at his trade in New Holland, and in the year 1868 engaged in the brick business in this city. Ilis brother Adam joined him in 1870 and the firm continued in business as A. Pontz & Bro. until 1885, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, each brother taking one of the two brick yards. These are situated on the Ilar- risburg Pike and East Chestnut and Rank's Road, and each yard is equipped with a brick machine and modern appliances. Both pressed and hand- made brick are here made in large quantities and find ready sale. A twenty-five horse-power en- gine is located in each yard, having a capacity of forty-eight thousand brick per day. Jacob Pontz owns thirteen acres of land, and with his brother has another tract of three and a-half acres. Of residence property he owns four acres on East Chestnut Street, eight acres in another portion of the city, and his fine homestead with a frontage of two hundred feet at the corner of James and Charlotte Streets. In partnership with his brother he owns seventeen houses, three of which were erected at the yards. ITis brick manufactory em- ploys from sixty-six to seventy hands, who are kept busy in supplying the three kilns. The yards have a siding from the Pennsylvania and from the Pittsburg & Reading Railroads. Ile has erected an additional yard, with a capacity of fifty thousand brick per day.
In New Holland occurred the marriage of Jacob Pontz and Miss Emma E. Palmer, who was born in that locality. Four children have blessed this union, namely: May, Lillian, Ethel and Nellie. Mrs. Pontz is a member of the Reformed Church and a most agreeable and hospitable lady.
For the past nine years Jacob Pontz has been a member of the School Board from the Ninth Ward and has served as Chairman of the commit- tee on furniture and appointments. An active Democrat, he has been a member of the County Committee for twelve years and is now one of the city committee. Socially he is a Director in the Maennerchor Association of this city. At John-
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sonville, Tenn., Company K, of which he was Lieutenant, presented him with a sword in recog- nition of his services in 1865, and this he prizes most highly. Our subject is a Director of the building and loan association.
FRANK X. HINDEN, a prominent business man of Lancaster, has been engaged in paving the streets of the city for twenty years past, and has taken contracts for building the City Water Works, and smaller pieces of work. A native of this city, he was born May 10, 1850, his parents being Frank and Teressa (Bentz) Hin- den.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this article was a native of Sweitz, Germany, and his son, Frank, was a native of the same locality. The latter received a liberal education in the German schools, and in his youth learned the cabinet- maker's trade, which he followed in the Father- land, but after coming to this country with his wife and four children, devoted his time mainly to agricultural pursuits, and at the time of his death was a resident of this city. He was a mem- ber of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and connected with its beneficial organizations. Before leaving his native land he served in the German wars with Napoleon, and on coming to the United States en- tered the ranks of the Democratic party. By his marriage he had six children. of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth, the others being Mary, wife of Jacob Allen, now deceased, and formerly a sail maker in Philadelphia; Rose, wife of llarry P. Pratt, a wholesale cigar dealer in Phil- adelphia; Teressa, who is unmarried; Joseph, also engaged in cigar business in Philadelphia, and William, who died in early manhood.
Frank X. Hinden received a good common school education in this city, and his father dying when he was quite young, he was thus thrown upon his own resources, having to make his own livelihood. lle found employment in the Cones-
toga Cotton Mill No. 3, where he remained for a short time, and then for several years worked at various industrial pursuits. At the age of twenty- two years he commenced working for the eity on publie structures, and since that time has carried on general contract work on a small seale. From time to time his business was enlarged, until he is now one of the largest in his branch of work in the city. He has succeeded through his individual and unassisted efforts, having made the best of his advantages, and gradually worked himself into prominence and a position of affluence. At times he has employed as many as one hundred and seventeen men, and in his dealings with them, as well as with his superiors, he has ever manifested traits of honor and veracity. A man of more than usual ability, he has succeeded far beyond his ex- pectations, and is justly numbered among the leading citizens.
September 28, 1872, Mr. Ilinden was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Prior, by whom he has had a family of seven children: Harry F., William J., Lillie F., Frank, Teressa, C'larenee and Rosanna. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and are well received in the best social circles of the place. In his political faith, Mr. Hinden uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party.
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HIRISTIAN LEFEVER. Among the pub- lic-spirited citizens and well-to-do farmers of West Lampeter Township is this worthy old settler, who has devoted his life to the occupa- tion in which he is now engaged. In his younger days he served for three terms as School Director, and for a like number of terms acceptably filled the position of Township Auditor. Ilis fellow-citi- zens and friends also secured for him, about 1865,
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the important position of Prison Inspector of Lan- easter County. In these official capacities he ac- quitted himself greatly to his own credit and to the satisfaction of all concerned, as in whatever he undertakes he brings to bear the same unfaltering integrity and uprightness of purpose that charac- terize his every relation with his fellows.
Ilenry Lefever, the father of our subject, was, like the son, a farmer by occupation, and became quite wealthy as the result of his industry and per- severanee. At one time he was the owner of three valuable farms which comprised about two hundred aeres, and were provided with substantial fences, buildings, ete. Ile was a member of the Old Men- nonite Church and followed the teachings of the Golden Rule during his entire life. When looking about for a companion and helpmate he chose Miss Elizabeth IIess, who was born and reared in Lampe- ter Township, and whose education was obtained in the schools of the district. By this union two children were born, namely: Christian and Adam F. In his early life the father was a member of the Democracy, but later was an adherent of the Re- publican party.
A native of Lampeter Township, Christian Le- fever's birth occurred November 24, 1823. His primary education was obtained in the district schools in the vieinity of his father's farm, which he attended until attaining the age of eighteen years. Not satisfied however with those advantages, he has become largely self-educated through pri- vate study and extensive reading. When a boy he was trained by his industrious father in the work of a farm, and it is not strange that when he ar- rived at maturity he concluded to adopt the busi- ness for his life occupation.
In October, 1853, Mr. Lefever married Miss An- nie Ilouser, who was born and grew to womanhood in West Lampeter Township. To them have been born three sons and two daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Elizabeth, Mrs. Guntner; .Jacob Il., now deceased; Annie M., who departed this life in 1880; H. F., who married Franees llarnish, and Christian E., who died in the year 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever are members of the Old Mennonite Church and are never found wanting when benevolent and church work needs
their assistance. In 1861 our subjeet was drafted into the army, but as his home affairs at that time required his attention and presenee, he sent a sub- stitute in his stead, keeping him in the army for some three years.
I SAAC II. RYAN, until recently a resident of West Lampeter Township, is now a citizen of Lancaster, having been engaged in a general real-estate and insurance business for several years, and sinee November, 1888, having his headquar- ters at No. 29 East Orange Street. Mr. Ryan comes of a worthy and honored family of Pennsyl- vania, where they have been residents since early Colonial days. Our subject's great-grandfather was bound out to a man in Chester County, wlule his parents went with Braddoek's army to Pitts- burg during the French and Indian War, and never afterward were heard from by their relatives. The grandfather of Isaac, whose Christian name was John, was a farmer by oceupation, and a resident of what is now Strasburg Township, this county. llis father for many years was a teamster on the old road known as the King's Ilighway, between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Ile was a great advo- eate of Masonry, and his death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-five years, while that of his wife took place when she was in her ninetieth year. Their family comprised five chil- dren: Townsend, John, Jose, Isaae K. and Lydia, the latter of whom became the wife of John Car- penter.
The father of our subject, Isaac K. Ryan, was born near Strasburg, in Providence Township, this county, and was a man of good business ability, though his educational privileges were not of the best. During his entire life he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and was very active in publie and educational affairs, be- ing one of the School Directors who elected Dr.
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Wiekersham, the first County Superintendent of this county. On attaining to man's estate, Mr. Ryan married Magdaline Lea Sandoe, and their union was blessed with seven children, who in or- der of birth were as follows: Alive, wife of S. C. Steigerwall; Martha R., who married C. R. Mac- kuse, a marble eutter of Lancaster; Jose .I., assist- ant engineer of cotton mill No. 3, of Lancaster; M. L., who died in his eighth year; Isaac II .; S. C., Mrs. White, of this city, and G. L., also a resi- dent of Lancaster. The mother of these children lived until October, 1884, when she was called from this life, being in her sixty-sixth year. The father was active in the ranks of the Republican party, and before its organization was a Whig. For many years he served as Trustee and Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now making his home in Lancaster.
Isaac Il. Ryan was born October 8, 1849, in Stras- burg, and remained with his father on the farm until thirty-one years of age. His education was interrupted at a very early age, as on account of his eyesight he was obliged to leave school, which he had attended for only two years. On starting out in life for himself he came to this place and opened a seed and agricultural implement business on North Queen Street. Later he sold out this enterprise, and for a short time was engaged in the iee business. In January, 1887, he embarked in the real estate business on South Queen Street, and at the end of a year and a-half removed to his present office on Orange Street, where he is en- gaged in buying and selling property, collecting rents, and attending to insurance and similar lines of business. He is very liberal in the support of churches and benevolences, and uses his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party.
In 1880 a marriage ceremony was celebrated in Laneaster by which Miss Mary M., daughter of Jacob Sweigart, became the wife of Mr. Ryan. Three children grace their union, their names in order of birth being as follows: Harry S., Chester K. and Beatrice L. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are mem- bers of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which they are active. On the maternal side Mr. Ryan is of German and French descent, his grandfather having emigrated
from Germany and made a location in Paradise Township, this county. From the French race Mr. Ryan doubtless inherits his polite and hospitable manner, which is inseparable from his general char- acter. lle numbers many devoted friends and ac- quaintances in this locality, who cherish for him nothing but good will and respect.
B FRANK CONNER, of Columbia, Lancas- ter County, is a member of the Supplee Steam Engine Company, of which he is President. The shops are located at the corner of Fourth and Manor Streets, and there may be found all kinds of blast furnace and rolling mill eastings, in addition to the celebrated Supplee Steam En- gine and Columbian Boiler. The latter is a system for heating houses or public buildings with steam or hot water, which is known to be the healthiest and most satisfactory of all methods used in mod- ern heating. Mr. Conner was born December 25, 1853, near Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa., being a son of James M. and Sarah A. (Horn) Conner. The father of the former came from Ireland in boyhood and settled in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He married and had five children, Daniel, James, Joseph, Henry, and Martha, who married Colonel Hyde. The father was a carpenter by trade, but in later years engaged in running his farm in Dutchess County, N. Y. Ilis son, James M., was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1811; he received a common school education, and was a man of more than ordinary intellect. For some years he followed the carpenter's and saddler's trades in his native city, and afterwards removed to Troy, N. Y., where many of the family are still living. Subsequently he engaged in farming in Carbon County. While a resident of Nesquehon- ing, that county, he was made Chief of Police. Act- tive in the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was in- strumental in building two houses of worship in Car- bon County. At one time he supported the Know-
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Nothing party, but later was a Republican, and held several offices. He was a School Director and greatly interested in educational affairs, Ile was a man who was highly esteemed in the community where he dwelt, was active in the encouragement of worthy enterprises, and was a contractor in the old Carbon Iron Company. By his marriage with Sarah Horn, the father of our subject had twelve children: Martin, Nathan, Margaret, Abiah, Vir- ginia. Mary J., Hattie, Emma B., Frank, Sarah, Ida and Belle. The mother of these children is still living in Perryville, but the father died Novem- ber 13, 1867, in his fifty-fifth year.
B. Frank Conner after completing his public school education took the mechanical and scien- tifie course at Cooper's Institute in New York City, and gave his time particularly to chemistry and metalurgy. After leaving school he learned the machinist's trade at Perryville, which he fol- lowed at various places in Carbon County and New York City for eleven years, and then assumed charge of the machinery at Perryville. For twelve years he was in charge of different blast furnaces, and lastly in the employ of the Chestnut Hill Iron Company at Columbia until it was closed, in June, 1892. In the fall of that year he became connected with the firm of which he is still a member. and runs a general foundry, which gives employment to about forty men. Mr. Conner is a member of the Columbia Iron Company, the Columbia and Donegal Street Railroad, and the Columbia and Ironville Street Railway. He is a stockholder in the lace mill in this place, and is a Director in the Wilson Laundry Machine Company. In the Hemetite Ore mines in York County which he operates, twenty men are employed. In real estate Mr. Conner is also considerably interested, being a member of land companies in Nebraska and South Dakota, called respectively the Interstate Townside Company of Nebraska, and the Egmont Townsite Company, and is the owner of a tract of four hundred acres in Lehigh County, this state. Ile is interested in the water company of Richland, Lebanon County, Pa., and is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.
Mareh 30, 1877, Mr. Conner married Martha J. Fifer, and two daughters and three sons have
blessed their marriage, their names in order of birth being as follows: Eva, James, Jacob, Frank and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the former is a Steward and Secretary of the official board.
Ever interested in educational matters, our sub- ject has served as a member of the School Board and is still acting in that capacity. At one time he was Burgess of Coplay, Lehigh County, and is an ardent Republican, being a member of the Gilt Edged Republican Club and its First Vice-Presi- dent. He is a Mason, belonging to Williamson Valley Lodge in Berks County, and in Perryville was a member of Washington Camp No. 117, P. O. S. of A.
EREMIAH RIFE, who has a real-estate and fire-insurance agency at No. 32} South Duke Street, Lancaster, is one of the most successful and popular business men of this city. A man of great public spirit and enterprise and one of the ardent Republicans, it was most titting that his fellow-citizens should eleet him to serve as Al- derman, which was done in February, 1894. In a number of very important corporations Mr. Rife has been one of the prime moveis, and is much in- terested in mining and milling operations in Colo- rado, being Secretary in two different extensive companies.
The birth of Jeremiah Rife took place in Earl Township, Lancaster County, in 1841, and in the same house his father, Samuel, was also born. The paternal grandfather, Samuel, was an agricultorist, whose death occurred when he was in his eighty- fourth year, on his farm in Earl Township. Sam- uel Rife, Jr., is still tiving, being engaged in farm- ing to some extent, though he has practically retired from active cares, and still lives on the old homestead in Earl Township. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Leacock Township, this county, and is a daughter of Samuel Sheaffer, an agriculturist. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rife,
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and the subject of this narrative is the eldest of the family and the only one whose home is in this city. Ilis boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and his dutiful assistance was given to his parents until he reached early manhood. In addition to general school advantages he was for a time a stu- dent in the Millersville Normal, and in 1859 he began teaching in the home district, and to that work he devoted the next seven years of his life.
It was in 1865 that Mr. Rife eame to Lancaster, and for three years he carried on a grocery trade on East King Street. In 1868 he engaged in the insurance business at his present office, being a member of the firm of Rife & Kauffman until 1886. Since that year he has been in business alone, and has built up a wide reputation as a man of excel- lent business capacity and sterling worth. Among the companies which he represents are the Home, Phoenix, Westchester of New York; the American and Girard, of Philadelphia; the Hartford, of Hart- ford. Conn .; the Royal, of Liverpool; the Trans- Atlantie, of Germany, and the Travelers Life and Accident, of Hartford.
In 1888 the Lancaster Mining and Milling Com- pany, operating in LaPlata County, Colo .. was in- corporated with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Rife was one of its organizers. and is a leading stockholder as well as Secretary of the concern. With the Mt. Lewis Mining and Milling Company, of LaPlata County, Colo., he occupies a like posi- tion. This company was incorporated in the spring of 1893 at 8600,000, and Mr. Rife spent some time at the plant in the fall of that year. The office and headquarters of these two organizations are at No. 3 South Duke Street, Lancaster. In politics, Mr. Rife is a Republican of no uncertain stamp, and socially belongs to Inland City No. 88, K. of P., of which he is Past Chancellor; Inland City Divis- ion No. 7, U. R. K. of P., and to the order of Red Men. Of the latter society he belongs to Ee- shahkonee Tribe No. 22, of Lancaster, and is Past Sachem and Keeper of Wampum.
In Lancaster County Mr. Rife was married in 1864 to Miss Weidler, who was born in Upper Lea- eoek Township, and four of the seven children born of their marriage are still living. Martin, the eldest in order of birth, is engaged in business
with his father. In the Lutheran denomination Mr. Rife holds membership, belonging to the Holy Trinity congregation, of which he is now serving as one of the Vestry. Active and upright in his every relation to his fellow-men, Mr. Rife has won for himself the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been thrown in contact, and has long been considered one of the most worthy eit- izens of his native place.
D AVID B. LANDIS, President of the Cones- toga National Bank, is a very wealthy and respected citizen of Lancaster. He is a member of the firm of D. B. Landis & Son, of Lan- easter, and is extensively concerned in grain and milling enterprises. The Landis family is a very old and honorable one in this county, and their history is given in detail elsewhere in this volume. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was of English descentand was born in this county, where he engaged in farming.
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