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 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
In 1871 the subject of this sketch married Miss Julia M. Dunn, who was born in Ireland and came in her childhood, with her parents, to Pennsyl- vama. Mr. and Mrs. Lant have reared a family of four children. They are faithful and consist- ent members of St. Mary's Catholic Church of this city. On political questions our subject favors the Democratic party, to which he has always given his active support. He is a man who is well and favorably known, though in manner he is very quiet and unassuming.
AMES SPEIRS occupies the important posi- tion of Superintendent of the Ashley & Bailey Co. silk factory, which gives em- ployment to three hundred hands. Mr. Speirs learned the business in Scotland, and having fol- lowed it his entire life, is an expert in his line. He
is the son of Ilugh and Agnes (Hayburn ) Speirs, and was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 3d of January, 1844. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a weaver by trade in Scotland and spent his entire life in that business there. He was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he reared his children, eight in number. Ile belonged to no social or benevo- lent orders. Ilugh Speirs, the father of our sub- ject. came to America in 1870, being accompanied on the journey by his wife and family. They made their home for a short time in Canada, and at the end of two years we find them located in Pater- son, N. J., where the father was employed at silk weaving, in which business he was a practical work- man. He resided in New Jersey until his decease, which occurred in 1888. He was a stanch Repub- liean in politics, and in religion, like his father be- fore him, was connected by membership with the Presbyterian Church.
The parental family included the following named children, of whom James, of this sketch, was the eldest member: William, Jolin, Samuel, Hugh, Robert, Rachel, Agnes and Maria. The orig- inal of this sketch followed the occupation of a silk weaver in Scotland, which business he had learned under the instruction of his father, and prior to engaging in the same was given a fair ed- ucation in the schools near his home. Ile emi- grated to America in 1866, locating at once in Pat- erson, thence went to Philadelphia, where he was for twelve years in the employ of Thornton & Son. Ile then returned to Paterson, where he remained for seven years employed in the silk busi- ness. Later he came to Columbia and became con- nected with the Ashley & Bailey Company, for whom he worked a twelvemonth, and from 1879 was employed by different mills until 1893. In May of that year he was made Superintendent of the above company, which important position he is now holding. The mill is one of the largest in the state and gives employment to four hundred and fifty hands. Mr. Speirs is discharging the duties devolving upon him as Superintendent in a very able and satisfactory manner, having been thoroughly trained in the business himself.
In 1874 James Speirs and Miss Diana, daughter
477
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of William Swan, of Philadelphia. were united in marriage. The six children born of their union are: Elizabeth. Hugh, James, Martha. Diana and William. Our subject votes the Republican ticket on every election day. He is known and respected for the honesty and sincerity of his character, and has the friendship of the best men in the com- munity.
-
-
D ANIEL F. GOIN. who makes his home in Columbia, Lancaster County, is an hon- ored veteran of the late war, having served for nearly four years in the Army of the Potomac, and with his regiment participated in many of the most hardly fought battles of the conflict. He is an active Republican and was elected from the Third Ward to the position of Assessor, though the usual Democratic majority is over one hun- dred and thirty. In 1877 he started the Colum- bia brick yards at the corner of Eighth and Lo- cust Streets, one of the successful enterprises of this place. The capacity of the same is about twenty-one thousand bricks per day, or two and a-half million per annum. All kinds of building, paving and pressed brick are here manufactured, and employment is given to thirty men all of the time.
The Gobn family is of German origin, and our subject's paternal grandfather was a native of York County, Pa. Ile owned a farm comprising over two hundred acres in Chansford Township. Politically he was a Whig and a patriotic citizen. Ile married Elizabeth Tome and had seven chil- dren, Andrew, Henry, Daniel, Fannie, George, Samuel and John B. Ile died when about eighty- eight years of age, while his wife lived to attain the extreme old age of ninety-two years.
George Gohn, the father of Daniel F .. was born in York County on his father's old farm, and learned the trade of tanning, which he followed for about forty years. When he was eighteen years old he came to Columbia, and he with his
brother Andrew was one of the earliest settlers of the place. In 1852 he went into the briek busi- ness here, which calling he followed until retiring from the firm in 1869. He died in 1887, aged sixty-nine years. He was a Township Trustee, a Republican, and a faithful member of the Lutheran Chureb. He was three times married. his first union being with Nancy Sweeney, who died in 1849, when only thirty-four years old. They had five children : Daniel, our subject: James K., Annie, Susan and Mary. By his second wife, who was Mrs. Mary (Strohman) Glatz, he also had five children: George, Elizabeth. Agnes, Sarah and Mary. all deceased with the exception of Elizabeth. After the death of Mrs. Mary Gohn, the father wedded Elizabeth( Keesey) Shaffer.
Daniel F. Gohn was born on Christmas Day, 1839, at Columbia, and received a public school education, after which he engaged in teaching for a time. When he returned from his army service, he was for a year in Trenton, Ohio, where he learned the brick-making business. He next went to Louisiana, where for a period comprising about a year he was boss on the levee construction work, and then went to St. Louis, where he was em- ployed for three years at various occupations. In 1869 he came to Columbia and started a brick manufactory on his own account. Ile has good financial ability, has made a distinct success of his undertaking. and is a stockholder in various build- ing enterprises in the city. Ile belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, being identified with General Welsh Post No. 118, and is identified with Tribe No. 39. I. O. O. of R.
May 30, 1865, Mr. Gohn wedded Martha, a daughter of Fred Lambert, who was born in Baden, Germany, and became a resident of Chestnut Hill, Pa. Our subject married for his second wife Ro- seama (Bartle) Kauffman in May, 1870. Six chil- dren grace this union: Catherine, who married Frank Schlotthaur, a butcher of Columbia; Georgia, wife of George Miller, of this place, who is a boiler maker; Anna, Mrs. Jacob Eicker, of York County, Pa .; Charles, Daisy and Lucia.
On the 5th of May, 1861, Mr. Gohn enlisted in Company K, of the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, infantry service, and became a part of the Army
478
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of the Potomac. In the following year he fought in the battle of Mechanicsville, and then fol- lowed in raind succession the engagements of Gaines Ilill, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull Run, Glendale and South Mountain, in all of which he did valiant service. In the last named battle he received a severe wound, a musket ball entering his arm, and he was obliged to leave the field. As soon as possible he returned to Ins regiment and with them was en- gaged in the battle of Mine Run. July 2, he was in the Second Brigade under General Fisher on Big Round Top, Gettysburg, and in the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded in the lower part of his leg by a musket ball. Though his injuries have occasioned him much suffering and trouble, he has never applied for a pension. Ile was fi- nally discharged March 14, 1864, and returned home.
I EORGE R. WELCHANS, M. D. Few phy- sicians and surgeons in Lancaster County rank higher than the gentleman whose history we will proceed to trace, and for a quarter of a century he has been engaged in practice in the city of Lancaster, where he is accounted one of the most influential citizens. He is surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad, is one of the staff at the General Hospital in this city, and is consult- ing surgeon at St. Joseph's Hospital. A man of very extensive reading and information, he is prominent in Masonic circles and has written a fine and creditable history of the old Lodge No. 43, to which he belongs.
The birth of our subject occurred in this city January 3, 1845, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Gundaker) Welchans. The former was born in this county and is a son of Reuben Welchans. whose birth occurred either in this or York County,
1
1
and who was engaged in the cabinet-making and general furniture business. Ilis wife, who was from Maytown, bore the maiden name of Mary C. Ilaines, and had a brother in the Legislature. Reuben Welchans served in the War of 1812 and lived to receive a pension, dying at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife lived to reach her eighty-eighth year. Ile was of German descent and was a member of the Reformed Church.
Joseph Welchans, the Doctor's father, was a wholesale tobacconist and a dealer in Lancaster, being one of the early wholesale merchants, and continued in business many years, making a good success of the same. Ile was born in 1819 and de- parted this life in 1876, aged fifty-seven years. Prior to the war he was a Democrat, but subse- quently became affiliated with the Republican par- ty. Both he and his wife were consistent mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. The latter was the daughter of George Gundaker. a native of this county, and a contractor by occupation. Ile served in several local offices, having been Super- visor in the city of Lancaster. Ilis death occurred as a result of an accident, which occurred in 1881, his age being then about eighty-six years. His fa- ther was of an old Pennsylvania family, who were adherents of the German Reformed Church. The Doctor's mother is still a resident of this city and is now in her seventy-fourth year. Her ten children all grew to mature years and eight of the num- ber are living. William died in Denver, Colo., and Edward, deceased, was formerly a resident of Lancaster. Samuel HI., of this city, became Second Sergeant of Company II, One Hundred and Twen- ty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, during the late war. A. C. is interested in the building of eleva- tors and makes his home in this city. The others in order of birth are as follows: Charles A., Mary E., Kate V., Joseph, Jr., and J. Howard.
Dr. Welchans was reared in Lancaster and grad- uated from the high school in 1861, after which he went to Philadelphia and finally was a clerk in a drug store. While there, in 1863, he volunteered on the emergency call, becoming a member of Company A. Gray Reserves of Philadelphia, under Captain Keizer. On his return he entered the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy, and in 1864 returned
179
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
to this city. beginning the study of medicine un- der Dr. John L. Atlee. In the fall of that year he entered the l'niversity of Pennsylvania and grad- uated in March, 1867. with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After an extended tour through the west he settled down to engage in practice and has since then been actively and remunera- tively employed. From 1881 to 1886 he was Treasurer of the United States Board of Pension Examiners and was one of the visiting physicians to the Lancaster County Hospital for several terms. Several times he has taken post-graduate courses at the Polyclinic, and makes a specialty of surgery cases. Ile is one of the Trustees of the Children's Ilome of this city. As Assistant Surgeon under Dr. Atlee. Dr. Welchans acted for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and on the death of his preceptor, in 1886, he succeeded to the position.
In January. 1869, the Doctor married Miss Em- ma E. Weber and they have two children. William H., who graduated from the Lancaster High School and Franklin and Marshall College, is now Chief Clerk in the Ilamilton Watch Factory of this city; and A. Lillian is at home.
The office of our subject is at No. 35 Orange Street, while his residence is at No. 404 North Duke Street. Ile belongs to the City. County. State and American Medical Associations, having been a charter member of the Lancaster City Pathological Society. Ile served as Treasurer and President of the County Medical Association. Hle is a very active member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained his Thirty-second degree June 7. 1881. and was Worshipful Master in 1875. Since 1876 he has served on the Charity Committee and is Past High Priest of Chapter No. 43, R. A. M. He is Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Goodwin Coun- cil No. 19, and is Past Commander of Lancaster Commandery No. 13. K. T. In 1885 and the four succeeding years, he was division commander for the counties of Lancaster and York. At the C'en- tennial anniversary of the lodge the Doctor deliv- ered a historical address and afterwards compiled a work relating to the " History of Lodge No. 13. " a volume of some three hundred pages, which took years of hard work, as it comprises biographies of each Past Master and is invaluable, as it contains ,
the history of the organization. Moreover the Doctor belongs to the Philadelphia Consistory of the Thirty-second degree and is a member of the Corresponding Circle Lodge Quatuor Coronati No. 2076, at London, England. With Lulu Temple, Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia. he is identified. and with Lancaster Lodge No. 67. I. O. O. F., and Wash- ington Encampment No. 11. In politics he votes the Republican ticket.
2
LEXANDER SCHULTZ for the past four- teen years has been engaged in operat- ing his well improved farm in Strasburg Township. For many years he has been a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has rep- resented his townsmeu in the Strasburg City Coun- cil frequently.
The father of our subject, who bore the Christian name of Lawrance, was born in Germany and emi- grated to this country at a very early day. For a time he was engaged in the stationery business at York, Pa., but later removed to a point on what was called the Baltimore Peach Bottom Road, in York County, where he kept a hotel up to the time of his death. He became quite well-to-do and was justly esteemed a reliable and upright man in all dealings. He married Miss Elizabeth Keen. and had a family of six children.
The birth of Alexander Schultz occurred Janu- ary 3. 1817, in the city of York. On arriving at suitable years he commenced attending the public schools and was a student also in the country schools of York County until thirteen years old. Hle was early obliged to earn his own livelihood, and worked for the firm of Philip & Samuel Small in the general mercantile business for about two years. Returning to York. he learned the tin- smith's trade with George F. Stein, and in May. 1>38. we find him in the employ of Jacob Gable, Sr .. with whom he remained for the next two years. Embarking then in business for himself, he followed
480
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his trade for a quarter of a century in Strasburg. By this time possessing ample means to pass in comfort his remaining years, he abandoned active business cares, turning over his trade to his son. Ile had always lived a very active life, and finding it irksome to do without occupation. he invested some of his means in an improved farm of seventy acres, situated in Strasburg Township. This pur- chase was made in 1880, and since that time Mr. Schultz has found great pleasure in the cultivation of his farm.
Religiously out subjeet holds membership with the Lutheran denomination, and socially belongs to Lancaster Lodge No. 43, F. &. A. M., and Lodge No. 13, K. T. In everything of public interest he is actively concerned and has done all in his power to promote the prosperity of the neighborhood in which he makes his abode.
In January, 1844, Mr. Schultz wedded Annie A. McCoy, who was a native of this county, where she grew to womanhood. To this estimable couple has been born a family of three sons and a daugh- ter, and in the order of their births are as follows: Ellis I., Austin P., Edwin L. and Mary A. These children have become useful and honored members in the several places in which they reside, and are much respected by all who know them. Mr. Schultz has always borne an enviable reputation for honorable and upright conduet, and has many sincere friends.
APT. JOIIN L. WRIGHT, at present Post- master of Columbia, was appointed to that responsible position in June, 1890. Ile is also prominent in Chiand Army circles in the city, having rendered his country efficient service dur- ing the late war as a member of the Fifth Penn- sylvania Reserves.
Our subject is the son of John L. and Ann (Evans) Wright, and a grandson of the founder of Columbia. He was born October 1, 1838, in this
city, where three of his sisters still make their home. Ile first attended the private schools of Co- Inmbia, then Professor Wire's school at West Ches- ter, this state, after which he became a student in the Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, con- dueted by Gen. Joshua Owens, and was graduated from that institution several years later. The Wright family were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania.
After completing his education our subject en- tered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, remaining in their office on the corner of Thirteenth and Market Streets, Philadelphia, for three years. At the expiration of that time he located on property near Columbia, and for the following two years was engaged successfully in cultivating the soil. Ile again worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as baggagemaster for seven years, after which he became connected with the Supplee Engine Company in this eity, by whom he was employed for the following five years. Ilis health becoming impaired, Mr. Wright again took up the occupation of an agriculturist near Columbia, owning an interest in sixty-five acres of valuable land within the city limits, on which he lived for eleven years. In June, 1890, he was ap- pointed to his present responsible position, the duties of which he is discharging in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned.
In politics Mr. Wright is a true blue Republi- ean, believing that party to be in the right. On the outbreak of the Rebellion, April 27, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, Com- pany K, which was one of the first three year regi- ments sent out of the state. During his period of enlistment he participated in the following hard- fought engagements: Antietam, where he was Com- mander of the Second Brigade of Pennsylvania Militia, being detailed by General Reynolds; and the battle of the Wilderness where he received the commission of Brevet-Captain, and later the title of Captain, for meritorious conduct at the battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse. Our subject served dur- ing his army experience as Second and First Lieu- tenant, and was mustered out of service with the commission of Captain. Ile participated in the seven days' fight, and at Gettysburg, Fredericks-
181
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
burg, Mine Run, and during a service of three years was never seriously wounded or taken prisoner. Captain Wright was mustered out at Harrisburg, Pa., June 16, 1864.
Our subjeet is prominently identified with Grand Army cireles in this city, and is Past Commander of Gereral Welch Post No. 118. He was married Angust 17, 1862, to Miss Mary, daughter of An- drew Beiter, of Columbia, and to them have been born eight children. Eleanor is the wife of llenry Z. Staman; Mary is deceased; Anna E. married Charles W. Wilson, and resides in this city; John is deceased; Andrew B. is engaged as machinist in Columbia; Samuel II. is deceased; and Sarah G. and Bessie are at home.
R EV. CHARLES L. FRY, A. M., is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, the oldest and largest organization in Lancaster, its mem- bership numbering nine hundred and sixty per- sons, and its prosent structure having been erected a century and a third ago. The congregation was first formed about 1738, and their building was put up in 1761, though it has of course been altered and remodeled at various times since. Rev. Mr. Fry is very near to the hearts of his people, and has spared no effort in building up every de- partment of church work and has been an inspi- ration to the young people especially.
cob Fry, D. D., was born at the Trappe, in Mont- gomery County, graduated from Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., and was a student in the Theological Seminary of Gettysburg, and en- tered his ministry in Carlisle, where he remamed for eleven years. For twenty-nine years past he has had a charge in Reading, Pa., and is pastor of the old Trinity. which has a membership of twelve hundred persons, the largest English-Lutheran con- gregation in the world. Ile is also professor of homileties and practical theology at the Luth- eran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and though sixty years of age is extremely active in church affairs. Ilis wife, who before her marriage was Lilie J. Wattles, was born in Gettysburg. ller father, Harvey Wattles, was formerly a resi- dent of Massachusetts. Ten children graced the union of Rev. Jacob and Lilie Fry, and seven of the number, two sons and five daughters, yet survive. Rev. Frank, the other son, is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, Pa.
Rev. Charles L. Fry was born at Carlisle, Pa., October 21. 1858, and attended the publie and high schools of Reading, graduating from the latter in 1875. Three years later he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the Muhlenburg College at Allentown, and afterward was made Master of Arts. In 1881, after a three years' course, he graduated from the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
In September, 1881, our subjeet was called to Trinity Church as assistant to Dr. Greenwald, and upon his death, in 1885, Mr. Fry succeeded to the pastorate. In 1893 the church was greatly im- proved and remodeled, a new pipe organ, steam heat and electric lights were added, though the building in the main stands as it was when erected in the last century. There is not a crack in the walls, and the same old seats are retained. In 1876 a chapel was built, the upstairs of which is used for Sunday-school purposes, and the remain- der for meetings of church societies, lectures, etc. The church structure is located on South Duke Street, on the site where the first United States Congress met.
Rev. Mr. Fry comes from a family prominent in the annals of the church and state in eastern Pennsylvania. Ilis grandfather, ex-Senator Fry, commonly known as "Honest Jacob Fry," was born in Montgomery County and was a general merchant and farmer at the Trappe. lle was fre- quently in county positions, served in the Legis- lature, and for two terms was State Senator from this state, and though a candidate for Treasurer, did not succeed in obtaining the nomination. Ilis father, Jacob Fry, Sr., was of German descent and The marriage of Rev. Mr. Fry was celebrated a Lutheran. The father of our subject, Prof. Ja- | June 9, 1891, to Miss Laura F. Housekeeper, who
482
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
was born in the Quaker City, and has become the mother of twochildren: Henry Jacob, and Charles Luther. Iler father, Il. M. Housekeeper, was for- merly a contractor and builder, but is now living retired. The parsonage is at No. 37 South Duke Street.
On many occasions Mr. Fry has lectured and has often been called upon to deliver baccalaureate discourses. Hle is interested in University Exten- sion and was the first Chairman of a local center at Lancaster. He is a member of the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua and several times has attended the National convoca- tions. He is also one of the Board of Directors of the Oratorio Society and is a member of various literary clubs. Ile has contributed to the press and college publications and one' time was asso- ciate publisher of the "Christian Culture." The summer of 1891 he went with his young wife to Eu- rope, visiting Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, France and Great Britain, and on his return was tendered a publie reception, in which all denom- inations participated.
J AMES STEWART ( deceased). The Stewart family to which our subject belongs is of Irish origin, his father, who bore the Chris- tian name of John. having been born in County Antrim, Ireland. He was reared as a farmer, and on coming to America located in St. John's, New Brunswick, where he turned his ener- gies to dealing in live stock. Later he came to Pennsylvania, becoming the owner of land in Dauphin County, and was one of the extensive farmers and stock-raisers of that locality. His fa- ther was a native of Scotland, but removed to Ire- land, where he lived many years. The wife of the grandfather, Barbara, was born in Ireland, and was a daughter of Donakl Me Allister, who was a farmer in St. John's. John Stewart, Sr., departed this life when about seventy years of age. One of his
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.