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 52
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Benjamin Landis, the father of our subject, was born in East Lampeter Township, and became quite well-off, owning live farms, which he oper- ated until he retired from active cares. Ile died about 1873, aged seventy-one years. Hle was a School Director, Township Supervisor and a lead- ing Republican of his neighborhood. He married Miss Mary, daughter of David Buekwalter, of East Lampeter Township. Her father was born in the same township, being a Mennonite of German de- scent, and one of his sons was a minister in that denomination. He was a successful farmer and owner of considerable property. After a wedded life of sixty-five years his wife died, in 1886, and his death occurred at the age of eighty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Landis eleven children were born, eight of whom are living.
The birth of D. B. Landis occurred January 13, 1830, in Upper Leacock Township, of this county, and he lived on his father's farm until twenty-
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seven years of age, when the property, comprising one hundred and seventeen aeres, came into his possession. From 1857 to 1867 he operated the farm and did considerable business in stock. In 1867 he bought a mill on Mill Creek, three miles from Lancaster, which had a capacity of fifty bar- rels of flour per day and which he ran for six years. Ile then sold out and engaged in the brewing business at Lititz for the next twelve years. His home during this period was near Lan- caster, where he owned a farm of twenty-four acres. About this time he bought the old Landis Mill on Mill Creek, and also bought another mill property still further up the river, and ran both mills for three years, then selling the upper one. In 1878 he purchased a warehouse on Water and Lemon Streets, Lancaster. and then embarked in the grain business. Ile has an elevator with a ea- pacity of one hundred ear loads and has buyers here and in the west. Ile deals in all kinds of grain, making shipments to Philadelphia, New York and Jersey City. The celebrated old Landis Mill is still in his possession, though he now rents it. Ile is the owner of the Quarryville Mill, which he refitted with steam rollers and modern appliances, and which has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The firm to which our subject belongs has the largest business in grain in the county, and his son is the general manager of the concern. In 1889 Mr. Landis assisted in organ- izing the Conestoga National Bank, was elected its President at the start and as such has continued. This institution was incorporated at $125,000 and in July, 1891, the capital stock was increased to $200,000. At that time the bank was removed to the present building at the corner of Queen and King Streets. The Vice-President is P. W. Ileisti- ant, of Millersville, and the Cashier is A. K. IIos- tetter. Mr. Landis was for eight years a Director in the Farmers' Bank, and owns much property and many residences in this vicinity, in addition to five hundred acres of land in Conawago Town- ship, which he rents.
have one child. Clayton G., who is in partnership with his father. The family residence is on East King Street, where they are surrounded by every- thing which goes to make a home of refinement and culture.
Mr. Landis is a loyal Republican and was School Director of East Lampeter Township for three years. Ile was twice elected Director of the Poor and was President of the Board for one term. Ile was for ten years a Director in the Inquirer Pub- fishing Company, now known as the Wickersham Publishing Company. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church Mr. Landis is one of its Trustees, being Chairman of the Board and is on the Building Committee.
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OSEPH S. ZOOK. a successful contractor and builder, residing in the city of Lancaster, who is a member of the Common Council, was born in Cumberland County, Md., No- vember 11, 1850. Ilis father, Christian Zook, was born in Leacock Township, Lancaster County, in 1825. The grandfather was also born in the same county, and was an old-fashioned farmer. This family trace their ancestry back to Switzerland. For further particulars concerning the ancestry of the Zook family, see the biographical sketch of J. Gust Zook. Our subject's father was married in Cumberland County and was a contractor and builder. and March 3, 1870, returned to Lancaster, engaging in the same line of work. Ile died in April. 1891, and was an exemplary member of the Mennonite Church. Ilis good wife, the mother of our subject, was Catherine (Stemer) Zook, a na- tive of Cumberland County, and the daughter of Deitrich Steiner, a native of the same county, and a farmer by occupation. They reared a family of eight children. seven of whom grew to their ma- jority, our subjeet being the eldest now living. Ile was reared midst the scenes of his childhood, and there received his education in the common
In 1857 David B. Landis married Martha Groff, who was born in the same township as himself and who was a daughter of Daniel Groff, an old settler and miller of the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Landis , schools; he also learned the carpenter's trade. Ile
JOHN A. BURGER.
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remained at home until 1870, and then came to Lancaster, and in the year 1874 became a partner of his father as a carpenter and builder, and in 1881 succeeded to the business. Ile has been an extensive builder for himself and for others. In 1883 he ereeted seventeen two-story, man- sard roof, brick residences facing on two streets, and a year later sotd a large number of them. The same year he built eighteen residences on East Hamilton and Frederick Streets, and also had many side contracts. Subsequently he built forty-three residences for himself on Court Street. In 1893 he built fifteen residences on First Street and sold all of them before they were completed. lle has averaged about thirty-five residences for a number of years, and now owns fifty residences in Lancas- ter. Ilis shop is located in the rear of No. 340 Frederick Street.
Miss Anna M. Krauskoff became our subject's wife. She was a native of Lancaster, and died leaving one child, Ralph W. For his second wife Mr. Zook married Louisa A. Stramp, who was born in Lancaster. By this marriage they have one child living, Maude E.
Politically our subject is a Republican. and has served tive terms as a member of the Council from the Sixth Ward, being elected in 1888 by a large majority. He has been Street Committeeman and held other eity offices. lle is a member of the Citizens' Club and Young Men's Club.
J OIIN A. BURGER is one of the most exten- sive contractors and builders in Lancaster, and has of late years associated his son in business with him under the firm name of John A. Burger & Son. He has for years had a large and remunerative trade, and has become wealthy by his own well directed efforts and business enter- prises. lle has been a resident of Lancaster Coun- ty since 1849, and has followed his present oecu- pation for forty-two years.
Mr. Burger is a native of Allendorf, Prussia, born December 20, 1828. His father, Philip Adam Burger, whose birth occurred in the same province,
was an agriculturist. and to that calling devoted his entire life. Ile lived and died in the Protest- ant faith. ITis wife, Ehzabeth Seelbach before her marriage, was born in the same locality, and be- came the mother of five children, only two of whom are living, and they are residents of Lan- caster County.
Our subject was reared in his native land, where he received a good education. At the age of thir- teen and a-half years, he was apprentieed to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked for his master two and a-half years. Ile managed to escape the military draft and worked as a journeyman car- penter. For a year he was employed in Dussel- dorf-on-the-Rinne. In the spring of 1849 he left his home on the sailing-vessel leaving Bremen Feb- ruary 24, and landing in New York City on the Ist of May. For about three weeks he worked in the metropolis, and then came to Lancaster Coun- ty, working for B. B. Martin, in Millersville. In 1852 he became a contractor and builder for him- self. and for eighteen years was employed in erect- ing barns and residences for the settlers of Manor. Lancaster and other townships. He was very am- bitions and energetic, often putting up four build- ings during a spring. He erected the largest barn in the county. a two-story building 90x120 feet in size on the farm belonging to Christian B. Herr.
In 1869 Mr. Burger came to settle permanently in Lancaster. Among other buildings which he has ereeted are two of the largest schoolhouses and four other school buildings, four market houses situated in the eastern, southern, western and center of the town. Two churches, many ware- houses, store and office buildings show marks of bis handiwork, and the Trust Company's and Peo- ple's Banks are as fine as can be found in the state. A number of the residences of leading citizens were built by our subject, and among them we mention those of John Keller, John D. Skiles, B. B. Martin, B. F. Eshleman, William Spreachers, D. P. Locher and George Spreachers; also the Steph- ens' house. From the fall of 1875 until the fol- lowing year, his time was fully occupied in Phila- delphia, where he erected fifteen buildings for the Centennial. Moreover, he built the large opera house on Broad Street, Affenbach's Garden and
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the dwelling of Mr. Lockard. Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. During that summer he had in his employ about five hundred men. and the superintendenee of so many buildings in course of construction at the same time told severely on his health. Since that time he has taken life more moderately. and has not attempted such ambitious and far reaching affairs, He built the place known as the Burger Block, in which he still owns five buildings, and also other property in different parts of the city. In 1889 he took in his son Adam N. as a partner in the business. They have built an industrial school in Port Deposit, Md., and have under contract the Soldiers' Orphan School at Scotland, Franklin County, Pa.
In Millersville, Mr. Burger was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Neff. who was born in Baden, Ger- many. Her father, Christof Neff, died in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Burger became the parents of five children, of whom the three eldest are deceased. Frances lives at home; Adam N .. who was educa- ted in the Normal, and for two years was a stu- dent in the Franklin and Marshall College, mar- ried Miss Anna C. Miller, and has two sons, Rob- ert and Charles. Mrs. Burger was called from this life June 1, 1893.
For the past nine years Mr. Burger has been an Elder in Zion's Lutheran Church, where he is an active member. Ile belongs to Germania Lodge No. 168, while his son is identified with the same order, though belonging to a different lodge. Po- litically he is a Republican. For a number of years he was a Director in the Lancaster Ilome Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has been greatly interested in whatever has tended toward the development of this place.
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REDERICK AUGUSTUS GAST. D. D., is professor of llebrew and Old Testament Theology in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States at Lan- caster, and is a scholar whose reputation is very extended. He is an authority on these branches of research, to which he has devoted a large portion
of his life, and years of most arduous study. As a member of the London Society of Biblical Archæe- ology, and of the Society of Biblieal Exegesis, he has been prominently identified, and has often contributed articles of great merit to the "Old Testament Student," to the "Reformed Church Quarterly" and many other periodicals. Sinee January, 1872, Dr. Gast has been connected with the Theological Seminary in his present capacity, and has been a witness and assistant in its surpris- ing growth and progress.
A native of Lancaster, Dr. Gast was here born October 17. 1835, being a son of Christian Gast, who was born in Germany in 1808 and is still liv- ing. The grandfather, Frederick, a native of the Fatherland. brought his family to America about 1817, settling in this eity. In Germany he had followed farming, but after coming to the New World engaged as a basketmaker. Christian Gast was reared to manhood in Laneaster, and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1835 he embarked in business for himself as a manufacturer and retail shoe dealer, being the oldest in the trade, which be continued for many years, or until he retired. A member of the Reformed Church, he has been an Elder for over half a century; for years has been one of the Trustees of the Lancaster Cemetery Association, and active in many local industries. lle assisted in organizing the Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of this place, of which he has been a Trustee. and is a local officer of the Mechanics Library, which he helped to found. Formerly a Whig, he is now an active supporter of the Repub- lican party. Ilis wife, Maria, was a daughter of Jeremiah Eckert, who was born in Schuylkill Coun- ty, Pa., and in boyhood eame to this city. He was a carpenter and architeet, having a great reputa- tion as a stair builder, and traveled in all parts of the state working at that employment. He was of German descent, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1858, when over seventy years of age. Mrs. Gast. who is now in her eighty-third year. be- came the mother of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, but only five are now living. Three of her sons enlisted in the late war. Eman- uel. who died in 1875. went out on the first call, enhsting for three months; Albert, a member of
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the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, was wounded in an engagement, but recovered and served until the elose of the Rebellion. After- wards he engaged in the confectionery business, in which he continued until he was accidentally killed on the railroad in 1892. William, who succeeded to his father's business, enlisted for nine months' service in a Pennsylvania Regiment under Colonel Franklin.
Graduating from the Laneaster Iligh School in 1853, Frederick A. Gast entered the Freshman Class of Franklin and Marshall College, this being the year that the two institutions were united. In 1856 the young man was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and three years later the de- gree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. In 1877 the college of Waynesburg gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1856 he entered the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, where he remained for a year, and for the succeeding year had charge of the Mt. Dempsey Academy in Perry County. After a year as Principal of the Lebanon lligh Schools he was ordained at New Holland in 1859, having charge of the congrega- tion until the spring of 1865. At that time he was appointed Chaplain of the Forty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Regiment by Governor Curtin, and went to Petersburg, serving until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Alexandria in July, 1865. In September following he went to Franklin Coun- ty, being pastor of congregations at Loudon and St. Thomas for the next two years. It was in September, 1867, that he was made Rector of the Franklin and Marshall Academy, which later had on its staff Drs. Gerhard, pastor of Reading; Schaeffer, State Superintendent of Education, and Peters, President of Heidelberg College. From 1872 to 1873 he was tutor of the Seminary, and since Oe- tober of the latter year has held the chairs of Ie- brew and Old Testament Theology. The number of students of this well known institution is over five times as large as when he first beeame eon- nected with the seminary, and great progress has been made in the system of instruction and in every department of the work.
In 1857 Professor Gast was married in this city to Adelina, daughter of Jacob and Maria Frey.
1
The father is a representative of the early settlers, and in former years was engaged in freighting. The pleasant home of our subject, which he owns, is situated at No. 233 North Mary Street. In polities Professor Gast uses his franchise in favor of the Republican party.
H ENRY R. TROST. In this sketeh we pre- sent to the attention of our readers a short record of the life history of a man who is well known in the city of Lancaster. Ile is one of the most experienced tobacco inspectors in the state, and is at present agent and inspector for F. C. Linde, Hamilton & Co., of New York City. He has made this business the study of a lifetime, and has worked his way up from the bot- tom to the top round of the ladder.
Our subject was born in this city, January 12, 1854, and is the son of John Trost, a native of Russia. The father came to America when a lad of fourteen years, locating immediately in Laneas- ter, where he engaged in fruit growing, owning at one time a large estate of four hundred and seven- ty-four aeres. He was an active member of the Catholic Church, and died when seventy-eight years of age.
The mother of our subject, Mrs. Margaret (Gable) Trost, was likewise born in this city and is still living, making her home on the old homestead. She reared a family of four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom our subjeet was the fourth in order of birth. Ile received his education first in the common and later in the high schools of his native eity, after which he learned the shoemaker's trade. lle followed this only a short time, when he en- gaged in the tobaeco business, working in the ware- house, where he was later promoted to foreman of the establishment. lle afterward was in the em- ploy of Emanuel Hoffman & Son, of New York, with whom he remained as buyer and receiver un-
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til 1876, the year he was made tobacco inspector. For many years he was the inspector for the larg- est tobacco house in New York, and is the old- est and most experienced in this line of business in this city.
Henry R. Trost was married in 1879 to Miss Susan A. Anxer, a native of this city, by whom he has become the father of six children: John II., Charles II., William R., Gertie B., Myre E. and Clarence A. Religiously our subject is a member of St. Mary's Cathohe Church, and in politics is independent. Socially he is a member in high standing of the Royal Arcanum, and is an office holder in his lodge. His residence is located at No. 118 South Queen Street, and his piace of busi- ness at No. 167 North Queen Street.
G
S AMUEL SHAUB is one of the worthy old settlers of Strasburg Township, of which he has been a resident for about half a cen- tury, and though well along in years, still contin- ues to operate his homestead. The Shaub family have been for many generations numbered among the best agriculturists of the county, and have been identified with this immediate locality for over a century.
The paternal grandfather of Samuel Shaub, whose Christian name was Henry, was a very wealthy agriculturist of West Lampeter Township, and followed the lifelong occupation of farming. Ile was an influential member of the Old Mennon- ite Church, and was a loyal and patriotic citizen. Ile married Miss Barbara Ilerr, and had a family comprising seven children. Ilis son, llenry, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in West Lam- peter Township, and on arriving at man's estate, married Miss Elizabeth Denlinger, who died leav- ing three children, all of whom are now dead. Af- terward he was married to Mary Eckman. He died while in the prime of life, being fifty-five years of age. Like his father before him, he made his live-
lihood by tilling the soil, and owned a valuable farm in Providence Township. He took great pride in keeping his farm under good cultivation and well stocked, and was a very practical business man. To himself and wife were born six children: Henry, Abram, Martin, Susan. Samnel and Jacob. Susan became the wife of John Martin.
The subject of this biography was born in Prov- idence Township, on his father's farm, March 17, 1816. In the usual manner of farmer boys, his time was spent until he had attained his majority. Ile assisted in the cultivation of the homestead, and in this way acquired a knowledge of farming, which has been of the utmost use to him in his sub- sequent life. During the winter terms of school he was a student for twelve years in the district of which he was a resident. When twenty years old he began farming on his own account in Provi- denee Township, and there remamed for nine years, owning a good property in that locality. Ile then removed to Strasburg Township, making a settlement upon the farm which he has since cul- tivated and now owns.
Mr. Shaub has been twice married, his first union being with Mary Miller, who was called from this life in October, 1874. Their two children. Mary and Aldus, have gone to join their mother in the better land. The present wife of our subject was before her marriage Lizzie Hostetter, and their only child, Amos, lives with them in their pleasant home. Religiously Mr. Shaub is identified with the Old Mennonite Church, to which his father be- longed, and in his political convictions is affiliated with the Republican party.
ENRY F. ANDREWS. For considerably more than half a century this honored old settler has been identified with the devel- opment and prosperity which are such a prominent features of Lancaster County, within whose limits he has passed his entire life. Since reaching his majority he has followed the business of a jeweler and has a well equipped store in Strasburg.
The father of our subject, Rev. Jacob Andrews
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was born in East Lampeter Township in the year 1797. In his early manhood he followed coverlet weaving in Manor Township, after which he oper- ated a farm in Paradise Township, which he sold and retired from active cares in 1863. Ile was a Republican after the party was formed, for a num- ber of years serving as Tax Collector of his town- ship and for many years was Anditor of West Lampeter Township. Ile was a very active worker in the Old Mennonite Chureb and was ordained to preach the Gospel in 1856. Ile married Fannie, daughter of Henry Funk. a wealthy citizen of Lan- caster. To this worthy couple were born two sons, Henry F. and Jacob. The father died in 1873, and his wife's death occurred in 1882.
Henry F. Andrews, of whom we write, was born in Manor Township October 5, 1832. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm and he gave his assistance dutifully to his father for many years. llis education was obtained in the public schools of East Lampeter Township, within the limits of which the family was then living. On leaving school the young man became interested with his father in carrying on the homestead and continued to work at that business until he reached his ma- jority. As his tastes were not in the direction of agriculture he decided to learn a trade, and at last made up his mind to become a watchmaker and jeweler. This occupation has been has been his business from that time up to the present and he has succeeded in making a good livelihood for. his family. In addition to his regular business he pays a great deal of attention to fitting spectacles and keeps a good line of optical supplies. He also is local agent for several kinds for sewing machines and sells the majority of those which are purchased in this region.
November 7, 1861, Mr. Andrews married Annie L. Kreider, by whom he has had nine children; Barbara, who became the wife of H. Frank Mowery; Fannie, now Mrs. L. L. Kreider, Ir .; Mary, wife of Ezra II. Mellinger; Esther, deceased; John K .; An- nie E., deceased; Henry F., Jr .; Jacob K. and Charles T., deceased. Mrs. Andrews was born December 17, 1841, being a daughter of the well known farmer, Rev. Tobias Kreider, a minister in the Old Mennonite Church. Mr. Andrews has always been
a promoter of good schools and the best educa- tional facilities to be obtained for the children of his district, and for a period of eighteen years has been one of the School Directors in the borough of Strasburg. Politically he deposits his ballot in favor of Republican nominees.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, who bore the Christian name of Peter. learned the weaver's trade in his young manhood, which call- ing be followed for a number of years. Later in life he took up farming and became the owner of a well improved traet of land in East Lampeter Township, his farm comprising about nineteen acres. Ile was an old line Whig and was a man who was greatly respected by all with whom he came in contact. A family of six children was born to him and his wife, as follows: Peter, Jo- seph, Daniel, Jacob, Esther and Elizabeth. In girl- hood Mrs. Andrews was known as Magdalene Bosler.
HARLES W. BREUNINGER. The wealth and exalted position of Lancaster Coun- ty among her sisters in the state is al- most entirely owing to the industrious German colonies, who have from time to time located within her limits, and who have in every way developed her resources. Among the natives of the Fatherland who have cast in their lots with the inhabitants of this favored region is the sub- jeet of this sketch, who from his boyhood has been identified with the county's welfare. For the past eight years he has been operating a bakery in Strasburg. Hle is master of his trade, which he has followed for a number of years successfully.
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