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 57
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From a business point of view our subject has been unusually successful, and now owns several fine residences in Lancaster. He was united in marriage in 1870 with Miss Lou Gates, who was born in Ches- ter County, Pa., and is the daughter of Emanuel Gates, a shoe manufacturer. By this union five chil- dren were born: William, Edward, Charles, Frank and Lottie. Mr. Jeffries takes an active part in all publie matters, is a member of the School Board from the Fifth Ward. and belongs to the Artisans' Order of Protection. Politically he is an active worker in the Democratic party. Ilis wife is a member of St. Paul's Reformed Church.
D AVID E. MAYER. a well known and re- speeted citizen of Strasburg, has served as Supervisor of the township for seven terms, and has been one of the School Directors for six terms. Ile is very active in polities, being a stanch Republican. For three terms he served as In- spector of Elections, and for three years was Clerk of the Election Board, and in addition to those offices has held that of Judge of Elections for one term. March 29, 1894, he was appointed to serve as County Commissioner, and is still acting in that capacity. His career as a publie man has been marked with ability and fidelity to affairs coming under his jurisdiction, and he has given entire satisfaction to his constituents.
Christian Meyer, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, in the early part of this century was a lead- ing settler of this locality. By trade he was a blacksmith, which occupation he followed for a number of years, and then began milling. He in- vested a large sum of money in land situated in West Lampeter Township, but never was to any extent engaged in agriculture. In polities he was an adherent of the old Whig party. lle married Miss Mary Miller, and seven children graced their union, namely: Isaac, Leah (Mrs. Ilerr), David, Jacob, John, Hattie ( Mrs. Hildebrand), and Na- thaniel.
The eldest in the last named family, Isaac Mayer, was born in West Lampeter Township, and in his boyhood worked on a farm. For about twelve years he was employed by a neighboring agricult- urist, and subsequently with the sum he had suc- ceeded in laying aside bought a farm in Strasburg Township, and to its cultivation gave his atten- tion for the next thirty years, after which he lived a retired life until his death. Politically he was a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party became identified therewith. He was School Director of Strasburg Township for two terms, and was a member of the Old Mennonite Church. In the year 1836 he was united in marriage with Mary Hoover, by whom he had a family of three sons: Christian, now deceased; David E. and Isaac H.
The nativity of David E. Mayer, the subject of this article, occurred in West Lampeter Township, August 4, 1838. He received such school advan- tages as were afforded by the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended until reach- ing his eighteenth year. Ilis life was passed un- eventfully, his father training him in the duties pertaining to the operation of a farm, and with him he continued to make his abode until his fa- ther's death, in 1877. In that year he embarked in business for himself on the home place, and has made a specialty of raising vegetables and all kinds of berries, etc., for the Lancaster market. Ile has been very successful in this enterprise, his land being fertile and well adapted to the pur- pose for which it is used. The owner has mani- fested good ability in a financial way, and has acquired a snug little fortune through his indus-
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trious and persevering efforts. He has never mar- ried, preferring to live an independent life and has kept "bachelor's hall. His friends and neighbors, who have known him as man and boy for over half a century, think lughly of him, for he is a man of sterling integrity and honest worth,
OIIN F. BRIMMER. It affords us pleasure to place before our readers an outline of the history of this gentleman, who is one of the enterprising and substantial business men of Lancaster, where he is the proprietor of a finely equipped livery stable, which he is carrying on in connection with his brother. C. II. Brimmer. Our sueject is also engaged in the leaf tobacco business. and by carefully attending to details, has accumu- lated a handsome competence.
A native of this city, our subject was born in Angust, 1855. Ile is the son of Frederick Brim- mer, of whom a fuller history will be given in the sketch of C. Il. Brimmer, on another page in this volume. John F., of this sketeli, was the youngest member of the parental family, and obtained his education in the city schools. When old enough he learned the trade of a baker. and in 1872 start- ed in business with his brother, they operating to- gether as bakers until 1876, when John F. and a Mr. Feltman established a tobacco business, buy- ing for a New York house. They continued this for two years when Mr. Brimmer began work- ing on a salary, being in the employ of different firms in New York and California until the year 1881. The following year he began in business with C. G. Shubert, which connection was dissolved two years later. He then formed a partnership with G. C. Kienbusch, of New York; the latter took care of the business in New York, while Mr. Brimmer had the management of the house in Lan- caster. They operated together until 1887, when our subject engaged in the tobacco trade on his
own account. Ile has two buildings devoted to the storage of that article, whose capacity combined is three thousand cases. Mr. Brimmer buys the tobacco in the bundle from the producers and packs and inspects it himself. During the busy season he gives employment to sixty men.
In connection with the business already men- tioned, Mr. Brimmer is interested with his brother C. H. in a livery stable, and is a stockholder in the Hamilton Watch Company, of which he is also a di- rector. lle also has money invested in the Helvetia Leather Company and is a stockholder in the U'nion Building and Loan Association. Mr. Brimmer has invested a large amount of capital in real estate in Charlestown, W. Va., and also owns considerable property in Lancaster, Ilis beautiful residence is located at No. 110 North Duke Street. He is now building a fine residence at the corner of Mari- etta and President Avenues, which is surround- ed by two and one-half acres of ground and forms one of the most attractive spots in the city.
The marriage of Mr. Brimmer and Miss Mary M., daughter of Herman Miller, was celebrated in 1879. They have had born to them two children, John R. and Elizabeth. In social affairs our sub- ject belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He is a true Christian and an active member of the First Pres- byterian Church. In politics, he was reared a Democrat and has been a follower of that party ever since.
D ANIEL R. MCCORMICK, M. D., is one of the leading and successful young physi- cians whose field of practice is in Lancas- ter, of which city he is a native. A member of the leading medieal associations of the county and state, he takes an active part therein, keeps thor- oughly posted on all the latest discoveries and is constantly extending his knowledge of the frater- nity to which he belongs. Educational ideas and affairs in this city have few more enthusiastic sup- porters than the Doctor, who has been a member
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of the School Board, and at one time was President of the organization.
The father of our subjeet was born in Philadel- phia and came to Lancaster in its early days, being for some time engaged in contract work. Taking up the study of medicine, he entered the Philadel- phia University. from which he was graduated, and then devoted himself to the practice of his profes- sion here until he was called from this life, in 1869. Ile bore the same Christian name as his son of whom we write, and by his marriage with Mary A. Rentter nine children were born, all but three of whom are yet living. Mrs. MeCormick is still a resident of Lancaster, her home being with her son.
After receiving a good public school education, our subject, who completed the high school course in 1875, entered the drug business, and during the intervals of his work studied medicine, his tutor be- ing Dr. J. O. Boyd. In 1882 he was graduated from the .Jefferson Medical College with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. lle next pursued a special course in chemistry, after finishing which he became a partner of Dr. Boyd in his practice. In 1883 the latter died, and since that time our subject has car- ried on the practice alone. When the St. Joseph's Hospital was started Dr. McCormick was made one of the medical staff, and served as such for two years. For four years past he has been a member of the Lancaster Board of Health, and is President of the Board of Examining Surgeons for Pensioners. having been appointed in the spring of 1893. As formerly stated, he is a member of the Lancaster City and County and the State Medical Societies. Formerly he was Vice-President and is still asso- ciated with the Pathological Society.
An active worker in the ranks of the Democracy, Dr. McCormick has for years been a member of the County Democratie Standing Committee; was Secretary of the County Committee at one time, and has often been chairman of various county and city conventions. being also a delegate to the state conventions of Ins party. Foremost in edu- cational affairs, the Doctor has used his influence to the best of his ahihty in the promotion of good schools and the best teachers to be obtained. For ten years he was a member of the City School
Board, of which he was President for two terms, and during this time nearly all of the modern school buildings were erected. As a member of the Finance Committee his suggestions and recom- mendations were consequently regarded as most important, and he used wise discretion in the dis- bursement of the people's money and in the or- ganization of the Lancaster school system, which is justly considered very complete and satisfactory.
SAMUEL FLICK is one of the largest contractors and builders in Lancaster, and has always had as much work on hand as he could well attend to. His work gives the best of satisfaction, and he is in great demand, for he gives his personal attention to every detail and is thoroughly reliable and strictly business-like in his methods. Ile is a native of this city, having been born here April 16. 1854, and his hfe has been passed within the city limits.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Flick, lived on West King Street when Lancaster was a small village. He was a successful carpenter and builder in his day, having erected some of the Conestoga Cotton Mills among other structures in this locality. He was a Whig in politics and a man much respected in the community. In his family were the following children: Henry, George, Fred, William, Mrs. R. M. Morrow, Mrs. Charles Ames, Margaret Spurrier, Mrs. Brilhart and Jacob. The parents of our subject were Ilenry and Eliza- beth (Smith) Flick. The father of our subject was born in this city, where he learned his fa- ther's business and followed the trade all his life. In former years he was a Whig, and after the or- ganization of the Republican party became its firm adherent. Ile was called from his labors in May, 1882, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years, but his wife survived him for ten years, dy- ing in April, 1892, in her seventy-third year. Of their five children, the eldest, Frederick, is a car- penter, and the others in order of birth are as fol- lows: Henry, Charles, G. Samuel and Mary C.
Mr. Flick, of this sketch, attended school only
SAMUEL NISSLY.
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until thirteen years of age, when he became clerk in a hat store. remaining there for four years. but on account of his health he abandoned the business and worked for three years at the carpen- ter's trade. For ten years succeeding that he was foreman for Philip Dinkleberger, who died in 1886. Since that time Mr. Flick has been carrying on business on his own account, and among other buildings which show his handiwork are Springer's Brewery. the handsome residence of Mr. Senor, the Lancaster Caramel Factory, which he remodeled, besides many others. Ile erected a wing on the Watch Factory, and has filled many other contracts of less importance. lle employs upwards of twelve men. attends strictly to his affairs, and the success which has blessed his efforts is owing to his ener- getic and business-like method -. Socially he is connected with Lancaster Lodge No. 67. I. O. O. F ... Washington Encampment No. 110, Fulton Castle No. 210, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and belongs to the United Friends Life Insurance and the Mu- tual Reserve of New York City. Though he has al- ways refused to serve in an official capacity, he is a stalwart Republican and is interested in the wel- fare of his party.
April 15, 1879, Mr. Flick was united in marriage with Ladel Ladora, daughter of Martin Leber, of this county. They have had a son and daughter. William 11. and Mary C., but the little girl was called from their home by the angel of death when only ten years of age.
S AMUEL NISSLY. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest and most hon- ored citizens of Weidmanville. For over fifty years he has held the office of Surveyor, and for almost the same length of time has served as Justice of the Peace with satisfaction to the entire community. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lancaster County, May 29. 1815. His parents. Henry and Catherine ( Martin ) Nissly, were
also natives of the same state. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Lancaster County and was born in 1759.
The family originally came from Switzerland. and was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Lancas- ter County. Jacob Nissly, the founder of the fam- ily in America, emigrated to this country early in the eighteenth century. settling upon property in Pennsylvania which his descendants have contin- ued to occupy to the present day. The father of our subject was born July 12, 1783. and became a prominent farmer of Clay Town-hip. In 1807 he married Miss Catherine Martin. a daughter of Pe- ter and Catherine (Flickinger) Martin, her father being a farmer of the same county. Their union was blessed with nine children, all of whom were born in Clay Township, Lancaster County, and four are now living. They were named: Peter. Martin and Henry. all deceased; Samuel, our sub- jeet; Elizabeth; John, deceased; Catherine. Anna. and Isaac, decca-ed. The father of the family passed away in 1869, at an advanced age.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools of his native place. When eighteen years of age he went to Lititz to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, which took two years. Afterward he worked three years in the same place. and then returned to the farm and carried on his trade there for two years. In 1840 he learned land surveying under the guid- ance of his unele, Peter Martin. and in this occu- pation he has since continued.
In 1850 Mr. Nisly was elected Justice of the Peace and has been re-elected every five years since. He is President of the Lincoln National Bank. and has been a member and Director of the Northern Mutual Life Insurance Company since its organization in 1841. Hle has served as Secre- tary and Treasurer of the same for some time, and is the President of the company at the present time.
Politically Mr. Nissly is a Republican, but was origmally an old-line Whig, having cast his first Presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison in the year 1810. Catherine ( Martin) Nissly, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of Peter Martin. conveyancer and Justice of the Peace of Weidmanville, He was commissioned Justice of
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the Peace for Cocalico and Elizabeth Townships by Gov. Thomas Mifflin in 1791 and held that of- tice until 1835. John Martin, the original Martin of this family, emigrated from Virginia and lo- cated in Ephrata. Pa.
Mr. Nissly never married, preferring the life of single blessedness to the uncertainties of matri- mony. lle is a liberal-spirited and progressive man and has the best interests of his locality at heart. Hle gives his support to all worthy publie enter- prises, and does all in his power to advance the general welfare, lle is always faithful to every trust, and whether in business, official or social life, he is ever an honorable, upright man, worthy the high esteem in which he is held.
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D AVID L. DEEN, a leading Republican poli- tician of Lancaster, is Clerk of the Com- mon Council, and is Alderman from the Sixth Ward, having his office at the corner of North Queen and Walnut Streets. For a number of years he has served as Clerk of the Common Council. He is a member of the Republican Conn- ty Committee, and for a number of years was Chairman of the Republican City Committee.
The paternal grandfather of David L., James Deen, was born in Ireland, and with his parents and two brothers came to Lancaster County, lo- cating on what is now the Evans Farm. Later he removed to Juniata County, where he bought a farm, and continued to make his home thereon un- til his death, which occured when over eighty years of age. He was a much respected and hon- ored member of the Presbyterian Church. Ihs parents were born in Scotland, and removing to the northern part of Ireland, resided there for a few years. Thomas Deen, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Lancaster, Pa., and after his mar- riage to Catherine B. MeGlinn, in Lancaster, made this city his headquarters, though he was a travel- ing salesman for a dry goods firm in Philadelphia
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until the war. Ile offered his services and was made sutler for the First and Second Pennsyl- vania Reserves. He died in 1862 in Philadelphia. aged fifty years. Ilis wife was a daughter of An- thony MeGlinn, who was a carpenter and builder, and also an undertaker in this place. For one term he was Coroner of Lancaster County, and his death occurred about the year 1871, when he was in his eighty-eighth year. lle was of Irish descent, and a Catholic in religion. Mrs. Deen died in the year 1882. Six children, three of whom died in infancy, preceded her to the better land. Those living are, William M., a retired con- tractor and builder, who was in the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry until disabled at the battle of Green River: Thomas A., who is a machinist and electrical engineer, and David L. Ilis brother, James A., of the Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry, was one of the first soldiers of this state. llis life was offered on the altar of his country's liberties, as he died at Chambersburg on the 22d of May, 1861. The parents were members of the Presby- terian Church, and the father was a Democrat nn- til the war, when he altiliated with the Republican party.
David L. Deen was born in the city of Lancas- ter May 12, 1847, and attended the public schools. llis father died when he was a lad of fourteen years, and he then obtained employment in a gro- cery owned by John D. Skiles, with whom he re- mained for two years and a-half. He next learned the machinist's trade in the Lancaster Locomotive Works, serving an apprenticeship of three years. For eight months he was in the shops of the Penn- sylvania Railroad at Pittsburg, and later was in those of Conemangh and Johnstown and the Re- nova and Baldwin Locomotive Works. Returning to Lancaster, he was employed in the Conestoga Cork Works for about three years, having charge of the machinery. For six years and a-half he was Chief Engineer of the city water works of this place, and then for four years was Chief En- gineer of the Penn Iron Works. In 1884 he was elected by the City Council for one year as a Street Commissioner. In the spring of the next year he was eleeted Alderman from the Sixth Ward, and after- ward was appointed to fill a vacancy of about three
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months. In May he received his commission from Governor Pattison, and in 1890 was re-elected, his commission being given by Governor Beaver.
In 1879 Mr. Deen married Maggie Seith, who was born in Philadelphia. but was reared in Lancaster. They have had three children: William L .. Mary E. and Charles F. The eldest son is a druggist in Philadelphia, and a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and will soon be in the druggist's business in Lancaster. The pleasant resi- denee of the Deen family is located at No. 525 East Chestnut Street. Since 1868 our subject has been a member of the Knights of Pythnas and is Past Chancellor. For one term he was Foreman of the Grand Jury, and for some time was a mem- ber of the American Order of Steam Engineers. Hle is Secretary of the Lancaster County and Pro- tective Association, and has been at various times influential in assisting new organizations and en- terprises. Ile is a gentleman of social disposition, and is very fond of hunting.
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1 OSEPH R. GOODELL, of the firm of Joseph R. Goodell & Co., heavy dealers in coal and lumber in the city of Lancaster, was born in Washington County, N. Y., near Granville, June 22, 1821. Ilis father, Joseph Goodell, was born near Salem, Mass., and the grandfather. Jo- seph, as well as the great-grandfather, whose name was also Joseph, were natives of the same locality, and were farmers by occupation. Joseph Goodell, the great-great-great-grandfather, was a member of the family of Robert Goodell, who settled near Danvers, Mass .. in 1634, coming from England about that date. The family were of Puritan stock. and were of the Congregational faith.
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Our subjeet's father was a soldier in the War of 1812; he was a cabinet-maker, which trade he learned in the town of Keene, N. IT. After the close of the War of 1812 he returned to Granville, N. Y .. and soon engaged in the manufacture of furniture, |
and later removed to Waterford, N. Y., where he engaged in the same line of business. We next find him located at Cohoes, N. Y., where, in company with others, he constructed a sawinill and con- dueted a very successful business. Ilis next field of operation was at Bridgeport. Conn .. where he operated a veneering mill, it being the first of that kind of machinery operated. After a successful business life, he retired and traveled through dif- ferent parts of the country. Ilis wife pas-ed from the scenes of this life at Plainfield, N. J., and he died in Lancaster, Pa .. aged eighty-nine years. In religious matter> he was a Presbyterian, and in polities he was identified with the Whig party.
Our subjeet's mother's maiden name was Melinda Wilmoth; she was a native of Massachusetts; and died at the age of sixty-two years, having reared a family of five children, three of whom are living, our subject being the eldest.
Joseph R. Goodell was reared in the Empire State, where he obtained a good common school education. At the age of fourteen he embarked on life's ocean for himself, going to New York City, where he secured a position as elerk. Ile re- mained in one store for ten years. In 1847 he : took steamer for the Pacific Ocean to Callao, South America. After his return by way of Cape Horn, in 1849 he took another voyage, going around Cape Horn. and touched at Panama. and from there sailed to San Francisco: during this voyage he saw much of the ocean world. While in the vicinity of Murders' Barr. he ran a stationary en- gine in a sawmill for eighteen months, and in 1851 returned to New York City, by way of the Nicaragua route. After his trip abroad, he settled down at his old business again. in the year 1869 locating for himself on Washington Street, Lan- caser. in his present business. and becoming a member of the firm of MeComsey & Co .; in 1877 he succeeded his partner, since which time the firm name has been JJoseph R. Goodell & Co. Be- sides a very large lumber trade this firm handles twenty thousand tons of coal per annum. Aside from his regular business, our subject has over a score of residences throughout the city which he rents: fifteen of these he built himself.
Our subject formed the acquaintance of his wife.
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whose maiden name was Celia Sener, in Philadel- phia, and they were married at Lancaster, October 16, 1860. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Sener. lle and his estimable wife are the par- ents of two children: J. Edward, who was grad- uated with the Class of '94. from Franklin and Marshall College; and Mary, at home. Political- ly our subject is a Republican, and has always taken an active part in the public welfare of his county and state; he has been elected three times as a member of the Common Council from the Ninth Ward of his city, and has held numerous other local offices. He is an honored member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities, and is an acceptable member of Grace Lutheran Church.
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