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 55
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In politics Mr. Engle was first a Whig, but after the disintegration of that party became identified with the Republicans. Hle now gives his support to the Prohibition party, in the welfare and suc- cess of which he is deeply interested. For a time he served as School Director. In the sessions of 1871-72 he represented his district in the State Legislature. For many years he held membership in the Good Templars and Patrons of Husbandry at Marietta, being prominently connected with these organizations until they disbanded. In re- ligious belief he is connected with the River Brethren Church.
The first marriage of Mr. Engle, December 19, 1839, united him with Elizabeth Breneman, and they became the parents of eight children, namely : Enos, Mary, Uriah, Anna, two that died in in- fancy, Anna and Ezra. By his second wife, Liz- zie Musser, one child was born, Horace, now a res- ident of Virginia. The present wife of Mr. Engle, whom he married in 1875, was formerly Miss Fan- nie Nissley. Their nine children were Lizzie, who died in childhood; Ella, Harvey, Abbie and Henry, all of whom died of diphtheria; Jennie, Samuel, Elmer and Emma.
Associated with Levi S. Reist, Hiram Engle and Alexander Harris, our subject organized the Lan- caster Horticultural Society, afterward merged in- to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Of this he has served as President for a longer period than any other man. Ile is a member of the Amer- iean Pomological Society, which meets biennially at various places throughout the country. In the organization of the State Board of Agriculture he was a prominent factor, and was the first delegate sent by the Lancaster County Society to the State Board. In the welfare of these various associa- tions he has taken a warm and active interest, and has contributed not a little to their success. To the promotion of the local and state agricultural
interests, he has been a large contributor, and is in- fluential in agricultural interests and enterprises.
Among his fellow-citizens Mr. Engle has exerted considerable influence, and is justly regarded as one of the representative men of Marietta. As an instance of his influence, he recalls a visit paid him by Tobias Martm, who, inspecting the farm and sampling some choice varieties of fruit, was so charmed with the business that he at once embarked in it for himself. Ile was very successful, aecumu- lated wealth, and now lives in Kansas in the enjoy- ment of an ample fortune. lle was one of the chief promoters of the Children's Home at Hills- boro, and has largely aided other humane institu- tions in the west, being a man of influence and widely extended popularity.
This is but one instance of the influence exerted by Mr. Engle among those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. Ile enjoys the esteem of all who know him, and is re- garded as a business man of superior ability and success.
HARLES HI. LOCHIER is a leading busi- ness man and prominent banker of Lan- caster, being a member of the firm of D. P. Locher & Sons, a well known banking institution in this county. In all the local enterprises he takes great interest and has promoted in a most substantial way many industries which have be- come very successful largely through his instru- mentality.
The grandfather of Charles H., whose Christian name was Jacob, was a tanner and currier in Mary- land, in addition to which he owned a large farm on the Hagerstown pike, one hundred and twelve aeres of which is still in the possession of the fam- ily. The great-grandfather of the latter was a na tive of Switzerland, who early became a resident of Virginia and the direct descendants removed to Maryland. Grandfather Jacob Locher participated
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in the War of 1812, eulisting from Maryland. At an early day he came to Lancaster County and finally engaged in the leather trade in Harrisburg, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife came from the respected and old Maryland family who bore the patronymic of Grove, and her father was an extensive farmer in that state. She departed this life in 1871, aged seventy-three years.
David P., the father of Charles Il., was born on the beautiful Potomac River, in Maryland, and with his father learned the business of carrying on a tannery. On coming to this city he built a tan- nery on South Prince Street which he operated for two years and then erected a larger structure on Water Street, which he carried on during the war and until 1868. In 1876 he bought a tanyard on South Prince Street, extending the business and enlarging the plant until the income derived there- from was very considerable. This business he op- erated until his death, which occurred February 11, 1884, at the age of fifty-seven years, and since that time his sons have carried on the business. In addition to the tannery Mr. Locher owned a good farm in Manheim Township, a tract of some one hundred and twenty acres, well improved with good fences and buildings. This property is still in the family. In the year 1870 he started the bank in partnership with his son Charles II., and in 1872 built the fine building occupied by the same. In addition to his various other business ventures he raised fine stock extensively, taking great interest in his herd of blooded Jersey cattle. In this city he had a fine stable well equipped with good horses, and was the only man in this lo- eality to drive a four-in-hand, his horses being of the Ilambletonian breed. In November, 1848, David P. Locher married Clementine M., daughter of Robert Evans, both natives of Lancaster, and in this eity Mr. Evans engaged in merchandising for many years, in faet until his death, which occurred in the prime of life. Mrs. Locher sur- vives her husband, living at her pleasant residence on East King Street. Religiously she is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of this city.
Charles 11., of this sketch, is one of four ehil- dren, all sons, his brother Robert being engaged in
the tannery business in this city in company with the youngest of the family, Clement E. The other brother, Grove, is a manufacturer in Philadelphia. All the brothers except Charles Il. are engaged in running the two tanyards in the city of Laneaster. Charles II. is a native of Pottsville, and was born October 21, 1849, and was reared in this city. llis parents returned to Laneaster in 1850. After ae- quiring a primary education he entered the high school and academy, after which he became a clerk with the banking firm of Evans, MeEvoy & Co. This occurred when he was sixteen years of age, and was only an interruption to his studies, to which he later returned. In 1870 he went into partnership with his father, becoming the successors of Evans, MeEvoy & Co., in their banking busi- ness. This partnership existed until the death of the father, and in 1872 the concern was moved into the new bank building, four stories in height, which was built expressly for the business. After the death of the senior Mr. Locher, Charles II. and his brother Robert became administrators of the estate and since that time they have owned all the stoek, the name of the firm continuing as before. The brothers also operate the Conestoga Oak Tan- nery and the Park Run Tannery, which turns out only harness leather. This is a fine plant and has been greatly improved of late years, but the first tan bath built is still in its boundary. Mr. Loeher is one of the incorporators of the City Eleetrie Light and Power Company and Secretary of the same, and occupies a similar position in the Lan- caster Hotel Company, being the largest interested party.
In 1872, at New Brighton, our subject married Miss Lila S. Reno, who was born in Beaver Coun- ty, Pa., and reared to womanhood in Pittsburg. Her father, Eli Reno, owned a farm and was also engaged in steamboating. Mr. and Mrs. Loeher are the parents of five children: David, who is a elerk in the bank with which the father is connected; Mira, James, Lila and Robert. The family occupy a fine residence on South Queen Street.
In 1887 Mr. Locher laid out an addition to llar- risburg, a tract of thirteen acres which is now built up, having been sold at a good figure. In June, 1894, he bought the Lancaster & Quarry-
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ville Railroad at a public sale for 8300,000, paying cash. In September, 1894, he reorganized the road, was elected President and in connection with a board of directors operates the line. It is a standard gauge road, and has connection with the Pennsylvania and Reading lines. In his politics Mr. Locher is a stanch Republican and is a man of great public spirit, whose influence is only re- quired in order to make various undertakings both of a public and business character become a grand success.
A BBOTT K. SPURRIER is now serving as Alderman of the Fourth Ward in Lan- caster, having been elected to that posi- tion term after term since 1876 and having made a good record in this ditlieult and exacting place. He is a very active Republican politician and for eleven consecutive years was Chairman of the City Executive Republican Committee, at the end of which time he sent in his resignation. On sev- eral occasions he has been a delegate to state con- ventions, and was alternate delegate in 1880 at the Chicago Convention which nominated James A. Garfield for the Presideney. As an Alderman he holds a commission from Governors llartranft. Iloyt, Pattison and Beaver.
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The birth of our subject occurred in this city on North Queen Street June 13, 1816, and his fa- ther, whose given name was George, was also born in this city. His grandfather, William Atwell Spurrier, was born in Bristol, England. and when a young man eame to America, in 1814. As the war was then raging between the two countries he re- mamed in Nova Scotia until after the treaty of peace was effected. Then going to Philadelphia he resided there for a year, and in the spring of 1817 with his wife and six children came to Lan- caster. By trade he was a tailor and followed that vocation after his arrival here. Ile was very | ing firm of Bair & Shenk. With his practical ex-
prominent in the Presbyterian Church, serving as chorister. Before leaving his native land he be- came connected with the Masonic order and reached the Thirty-third degree, being a member of Lodge No. 43, of Lancaster. His death resulted from a paralytic stroke about 1835.
Our subject's father learned the tailor's trade and conducted a business of his own at the corner of East King and Christian Streets. For two and a-half years he was the Warden of the County Alms Ilouse, and died while acting in that posi- tion October 10, 1882, being in his sixty-third year. Ile was a leading Odd Fellow, and Past Officer of Lancaster Lodge for years. Moreover he was Secretary of the Eneampment and belonged to the Odd Fellows' Indemnity Society. Until 1860 he was a Democrat, after which he became a Republican. For a quarter of a century he was an Elder in the Reformed Church and a charter member of the Second Church, of Lancaster. IIe was one of the originators and stockholders in the Lancaster Cemetery Association. His wife, for- merly Margaret Flick, was born here, as was also her father, Henry Flick, a very extensive con- tractor and builder of German descent and Luth- eran faith. Mr. and Mrs. Spurrier had seven chil- dren, but only two are now living, our subject and his sister Margaret. Their mother is a resident of No. 531 North Lime Street.
A. K. Spurrier was reared and educated in the public schools of this eity. June 25, 1863, he enlisted in Company K. Forty-seventh Pennsyl- vania Militia. and was in the service three months, the term of his enlistment. In the spring of 1864 be re-enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry, and being assigned to the Army of the Potomac, took part in the battle of the Wilderness and engagements prior to the tak- ing of Richmond. After participating in the Grand Review he received an honorable discharge at Washington, May 10, 1865. Returning home he continued his studies for two years in W. H. Davis' Academy. The next four years were passed as a clerk with the firm of Bair & Clarkson, bankers, and after that firm dissolved partnership he was for three years in the employ of the bank-
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perience he felt confident that he was enabled to conduct a banking and brokerage business for himself and started out bravely to carry out plans in that direction, but the panic of 1873 proved too much for the young enterprise and he was obliged to leave the field. Until February, 1875. he was a clerk in the Mayor's office under Capt. W. D. Stauffer and was then elected Alderman for five years. From that time until the present he has been re-elected on the expiration of each five years' term, though at times it has been a close question between the two political parties. In addition to his regular duties he does conveyancing and simi- lar work.
October 12, 1871, Mr. Spurrier was married in this city to Miss Eilen C. Pearsol, who was born and reared in Lancaster. Iler father, John H. Pearsol, was one of the proprietors of the Lancas- ter Express, which he established and which is now known as the Examiner. Mr. and Mrs. Spurrier have two living children: Anna P. and Wilham Atwell. They are members of the Presbyterian Church and are widely esteemed by a wide circle of friends. Socially, our subject belongs to Mon- terey Lodge No. 242, I. O. O. F., and to the Order of Red Men.
ILL W. CLEAVER is proprietor of the largest men's furnishing establishment in the city of Columbia. He is the son of David C. and Elizabeth L. (Fenner) Cleaver, and was born .July 22, 1871, in Philadelphia. The first representative of the family in America came from Germany, and located in New Hampshire, whence he afterward came to this state and made settlement in Columbia County.
John Cleaver, the grandfather of our subject, acquired a good education and became a successful teacher. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, which he often served in the capac- ity of preacher in his neighborhood. John Clea-
ver reared six children, namely: Richard, Sarah, Tassie (deceased), Jessie, George and David C. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years, passing away in 1867 or 1868. Ilis wife was in her sev- enty-ninth year when called hence.
The father of our subjeet was likewise given a good common-school education, and his father dying soon after the removal of the family to the Quaker City, young David was obliged to earn his own living, and began clerking in a wall paper establishment. He followed this business for a period of thirty years, when he abandoned it and began building and dealing in real estate. Hle fol- lowed this branch of business from 1864 to 1873. and during that time had built over seven hun- dred houses, which he disposed of as soon as com. pleted. In his real-estate trade, however, he con_ tinued until 1888, the year in which he retired from business. and made his home in a beautiful residence on the corner of Nineteenth and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia. He owns much val- uable property in Philadelphia, and is considered one of the moneyed men of the city. In polities he votes with the Republican party, which he served in the City Council for a period of fifteen years. He is a very popular man in his community, and prominently identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
The parental family included five children: Clarence, Edwin and Horace, deceased; Will, of this sketch, and Bessie. The mother died Septem- ber 12, 1892, when in the fifty-first year of her age. Will, of this sketch, completed his studies in the public schools of Philadelphia in 1887, after which he took a course in the business college of that city.
When ready to start out in life on his own ac- count, our subject began working in the freight department of the Pennsylvania Railroad, remain- ing in this capacity for two years. In 1890 we find bim located in Columbia, and shortly after com- ing here he formed a partnership with C. C. Root. These gentlemen purchased the business of M. P. Root, and conducted a good business as hatters and men's furnishers until 1892, when Mr. Cleaver purchased his partner's interest in the store, and continued alone for a year at the old stand. April
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15, 1893, he purchased the property which he now occupies, and after remodeling it, moved his stock of goods, and now has the largest and one of the finest establishments in the city. Ile does an im- mense business, and gives constant employment to five clerks.
In his political relations our subject follows in the footsteps of his honored father, and is a Re- publican. Socially he is prominently identified with the Masonic order, and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is very public- spirited, and is interested in many of the impor- tant enterprises of the city. Ile was married on the 23d of January, 1894, to Miss Sarah, daughter of llenry Mullen, formerly Postmaster of Colum- bia, but now a resident of Philadelphia.
B RUNO ASTRICHI is the senior member of the firm of Astrich Bros., proprietors of the Ladies' Palace of Fashion, in Lancas- ter, which beautiful store is one of the most popu- lar business emporinms in Lancaster. The broth- ers are successful merchants, and spare no effort to please their customers. The subject of this narra- tive is a truly self-made man, having worked his way up by the exercise of his own natural talents and perseverance. Hle commenced his career as a cash boy, was gradually promoted to clerk and su- perintendent, and finally embarked in business for himself, in which venture he has met with great success.
Bruno Astrich is a native of Germany, having been born in Pleschen, Posen, Prussia, December 27, 1853, in which province his parents, Abraham and Henrietta (Ettinger) Astrich, were also born. The former was a merchant of good ability, and both he and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of four children, of whom Bruno is the eldest, and Louis, his partner, next in order of birth; Herman is a merchant in Harrisburg, Pa., and Lena, wife of Dr. Michaelsolin, is still a resi-
dent of Posen. Our subject attended the excellent schools of his native land until 1868, being also a student in the gymnasium in Posen.
When about fifteen years of age our subject left his native land, being the first of the family to come to the United States. Ilis journey was made by way of Bremen and New York City, and after arriving in that metropolis, he became a cash boy in his uncle's store on the Bowery. This firm was the well known one of A. & R. Ettinger, dealers in fancy goods. With him Bruno Astrich remained until 1870, when another maternal uncle opened a dry-goods store on Washington Street, Hoboken, N. J., and with him he was employed as a clerk, finally being made Superintendent of the whole concern, in which capacity he acted until 1880. His brother Louis, who emigrated to the United States in 1871, was Assistant Superintendent with our subject, and in 1880 they decided to go into partnership. Coming to Lancaster in the spring of that year, they opened a store at No. 13 East King Street, doing a general dry-goods and mer- chandise business, and there remained for nine years. At that time they removed to their present location at Nos. 115 and 117 North Queen Street, which building was erected for them. This is one of the best blocks in the city, being 32x245 feet in dimensions, and the three floors of this and the basement are occupied by the various departments of Astricht Bros.' extensive store. The basement is used for machinery, heating apparatus, etc .. the first floor for the miscellaneous departments of their retail business; the second floor for the suits and coats, and the third for storage and ware-rooms. Every modern improvement to be found in the stores of the great cities may here be also found, such as elevators, electric lights, steam heat, electric cable cash system, etc. On the first floor there are eight incandescent are lights run by an electric motor. Millinery, notions and everything usually found in a first class depart- ment store is here kept in great variety. In May, 1893, the partners started a branch store on Loeust Street, which is superintended by Isaac Strauss.
Bruno Astrich was married in 1885 in this city, to Miss Amelia Strauss, a daughter of Joseph Strauss; she was born and reared to womanhood
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in Lancaster. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Astrich, who are called respectively Estelle and Gertrude. The pleasant home of the family is situated at No. 705 North Duke Street. Socially our subject is a member of the Royal Ar- canum, is ex-President and Monitor of the Sons of the Covenant Independent Order of Bnai Brith. For five years he has been President of the Con- gregation Gates of Heaven. He was one of the organizers and is now Secretary of Harmony Club, one of the finest social organizations in the city.
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A DAM DELLET is one of the native sons of Lancaster, coming from an old and honored family, which has been identified with the city's welfare from a very early day, In a num- ber of official capacities he has served acceptably and well. and in December, 1889, was appointed by Governor Beaver to act as Alderman from the Ninth Ward, to fill the vacancy caused by the res- ignation of George W. Pinkerton. In the follow- ing spring he was regularly elected Alderman to serve for a term of five years, and has his head- quarters at No. 418 North Queen Street.
'Squire Dellet was born May 24, 1841, being a son of Adam and Susan (Huber) Dellet, both na- tives of Lancaster. The paternal grandfather, a native of France, came to this city at an early period, and followed his profession of an architect until his death. The maternal grandfather, Peter Huber, who was born in Lancaster, was of German descent. In order to make a livelihood he fol- lowed the occupation of a butcher, and lived to attain a good old age. Adam Dellet, Sr., was a prominent railroad contractor and did considerable construction work on the State and Pennsylvania Railroads. He was foreman of a construction de- partment and made a success of his undertak- ing. Ile continued engaged in contract work until his death, which resulted from cholera, winch was then epidemic. At the time of his .
death, in September, 1855. he was fulfilling a large contract in Pittsburg. Politically he was a Dem- ocrat, and later became identified with the Know- Nothing party. At one time he served as High Constable, but for the most part his time was so fully occupied with his business interests that he declined to accept public office. His wife died when about eighty-seven years of age, and of her thirteen children, eleven are still living: Adam, Jr., being the ninth in order of birth.
The education of our subject was obtained in the public and high schools of Lancaster, and on completing his studies he worked for a time in a daguerreotype gallery; he then served an ap- prenticeship to the printer's trade with the gentle- man who was known as "Jolly Jack" Heistand, M. (. After becoming familiar with the trade, young Dellet was placed in charge of the job department of the Examiner office, and with an intermission of about a year, when he was in the war, contin- ued as a printer in the same office until 1888, when he retired. In 1862 he volunteered as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered in as Sergeant at Harrisburg for nine months' service. Going with his regiment to the south, he was sta- tioned mainly on guard duty at Yorktown and Williamsburg. In August, 1863, he was mustered out of the army of Harrisburg, and at once re- turned to Lancaster. In 1862 Mr. Dellet married Elizabeth Knight, who was born in England, but was only five years old when her father, Thomas Knight, brought her to America. The latter, now deceased, was a gardener by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Dellet became the parents of seven children: Annie O., Mrs. William Aldrich, of Lancaster; Samuel G., a printer in the office of the Examiner; Jennie J., Mrs. J. Frank Sweeton; Minnie M., Mrs. H. G. Pinkerton; John O. L., now employed with the Pennsylvania Iron Works; Emma B. and Joshua L.
Governor Geary appointed Mr. Dellet to serve as Bank Assessor for Lancaster County in 1877, and that year he made the regular assessments and reports in a most creditable manner, winning high commendation. A Republican of the stanchest kind, he has been a member of the County Com- mittee and the Lancaster City Executive Commit-
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tee, frequently being sent as a delegate to conven- tions of the party. Socially he is identified with Admiral Reynolds Post 405, G. A. R., of which he has been a member for many years.
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