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 61
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who, unaided and alone, starts out to combat with life's stern realities.
The family of which our subject is a member has been long and honorably connected with the history of Pennsylvania, whither the original rep- resentatives came from Germany. Our subject's great-grandfather, Abram Frey, was an ordained clergyman of the Evangelical Association, and was connected with the itinerary service for many years, until called from labor to reward, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-five years. His son, Sam- uel, was born in Union County, Pa., was a farmer by occupation, in religion a member of the Evan- gelical Church, and in politics was identified with the old line Whig party. He married Anna Bow- man, and they became the parents of two sons and one daughter, all deceased, namely: Abram, Anna and Samuel, of whom the daughter married Abram First. of Harrisburg, Pa. Grandfather Frey died in Union County at the age of forty-nine years. and his wife passed away at Florin, Lancaster County, January 7, 1879, aged seventy-four years.
The father of our subject, Rev. Abram Frey, was born in Union County, Pa., November 14, 1823. Ile was a man of superior intelligence, a school teacher in early life, but afterward a minister in the Evangelical Association. He filled pulpits at various points in Lancaster, Lebanon, Burks, Mont- gomery and Dauphin Counties, continning thus engaged for eight years, until his death, April 23, 1859, at the early age of thirty-six years. In con- nection with his ministerial work, he was exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of coverlids and counterpanes at Mt. Joy, of which enterprise Jo- seph Classley was Superintendent and general man- ager. In politics he was a Whig until the disinte- gration of that party, after which he affiliated with the Republicans.
The marriage of Rev. Abram Frey and Miss Mary Fauby, which took place July 3, 1845, was blessed by the birth of three sons and three daugh- ters, namely: Martha, wife of Joseph Heineman. of Philadelphia; Abram, a talented and well known artist of Washington, D. C .; David, who died at the age of eleven years; Samuel F., of this sketch; Lizzie, wife of Dr. N. A. Saylor, of Philadelphia, and Emma, Mrs. O. G. IIull, of Kansas City, Mo.
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The mother of these children, now seventy-three years of age. makes her home with our subject in Marietta.
Near Bloomfield, Pa., in Juniata Township. Per- ry County, our subject was born December 16. 1852. For some time he wasa student in the pub- lic schools of Mt. Joy, but left school at the age of sixteen to prepare for business. February 1, 1868, he apprenticed himself to Henry S. Meyers, of MIt. Joy, to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker and un- dertaker, remaining thus employed for three and one-half years. January 3, 1872, he went to Ma- rietta. and finding a suitable opening here, he at once embraced the opportunity of embarking in business. His modest capital of 8800 he had saved by close economy and hard work, during extra time allotted him when apprenticed, and during his school days. Renting a small cabinet shop and ware-room in the Welchans' Building, he bought a stock of furniture and funeral supplies. Success rewarded him from the first.
To accommodate the increasing demands of his business. Mr. Frey was compelled to move to larger quarters. In 1887 be purchased the old Roath property in the heart of the business centre of the city, and tearing down the building he erceted the substantial structure in which he now does business. It is of brick. three stories in height, the store 25x80 and the house 25x61 feet in dimensions, the entire frontage being fifty feet. Under the store is a base- ment, making four ware-rooms 25x80 feet in dimen- sions. The store is stoeked with a complete assort- ment of furniture of modern styles, and all grades of earpets. There is another building on the same lot. in which are kept easkets, hearse and other funeral supplies. Both the dwelling and the store are fit- ted out with all modern improvements. heated with steam and lighted by gas, a Royal gas ma- chine having been placed in the building. In ad- dition to this property Mr. Frey is interested in other real estate and in the improvement of prop- erty, also is interested in farming in the upper part of the county.
Politically our subject is a Republican, and in religions faith adheres to the doctrines preached by his ancestors, being a devoted member of the Evangelical Church at Mt. Joy. September 5,
1876, he married Anna II., eldest daughter of Rev. John B. Longenecker, now of Florin, Lancaster County. They are the parents of five children. named Samuel L., Anna L., Myra L., Cora L. and Wilbur L. The success which Mr. Frey has met with in business is richly merited, for he is a man of great industry, perseverance and energy.
H ENRY WESTERMAN. Among the thriv- ing establishments of which Columbia possesses her due proportion may be num- bered the meat market of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. It was established several years ago, and during this time has grown in popularity and its proprietor has acquired a fine reputation as a man possessed of business tact and honor.
Our subject is the son of Leopold and Anna ( Wagoner) Westerman, and was born in Laneaster. on the 26th of September, 1856. For a full history of the parents the reader is referred to the sketeh of our subject's brother, John Westerman, found on another page of this volume.
Henry Westerman was educated in the schools of his native place in Iowa, where his parents lived for a time, and when fifteen years of age began to make his own way in the world, his first work be- ing to drive a team in Columbia. This he fol- lowed for two years, when he apprenticed himself to learn the butcher's trade in the shop of George W. Wyke, of this city. He, however, completed his knowledge of the business under the instrue- tion of his brother John, who is the proprietor of a large market in Columbia.
Young Westerman for three years had charge of his uncle's farm in this county, which he man- aged in a very satisfactory and highly profitable manner until his marriage, at the age of twenty- two years. He then abandoned farm life, and with his bride removed into the city, when he purchased a building and opened up a meat market at his
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present stand. This structure has since given way to a brick building 10x56 feet in dimensions and two stories in height. Mr. Westerman is a Director in the Central National Bank in this city, with which he has been connected ever since its organ- ization in 1888, and is also a Director in the Wil- son Laundry Machine Company. Hle stands fore- most among the prominent business men who have contributed so largely to the financial prosperity of this part of the county. In politics Mr. West- erman is a Demoerat and belongs to the Lutheran Church.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Alice, daughter of Cornelius C. Beck, was celebrated in December, 1878, and to them has been granted a family of six children: Charles B., Jennie A., Bes- sie, llarry, Zana and Cornelius.
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H ERMAN F. WOHLSEN. The name of Wohlsen is known and respected through- ont Lancaster County as belonging to some of its best residents. The present represent- ative of the family is one of the most successful young contractors and builders of Lancaster, and is both liberal and enterprising. lle was born across the water in Germany, July 25, 1861, and is the son of Peter N. Wohlsen, of whom a more extended notice will appear in the sketch of our subjeet's brother, William, on another page in this book.
The parental family included seven children, of whom four are now living. Herman F. re- mained in his native land until 1879, in the mean- time being given a good education in the model schools of that empire. After deeiding to come to America he embarked on the steamer "Oder." which was twelve days in crossing the Atlantic. Young Wohlsen after landing in New York made his way directly to this city, where he engaged in the car- penter trade with his brother and attended night school until becoming thoroughly conversant with
the English language. The brothers continued to operate together for three years, when our subject went to Baltimore and for the following three years carried on a good business in that city as a carpenter. At the end of that time he returned to Lancaster and was made foreman of his brother's shop for four years.
In 1890 Mr. Wohilsen began contracting and building on his own account and has ereeted some of the finest residences in the city, among them that of II. S. Williamson, W. Il. Haynes, S. II. Reynolds and A. D. Ailes. He also remodeled the Presbyterian Church and built the chemical works at Harrisburg. Mi. Wohlsen is occupying with his family a beautiful residence, located at No. 429 Green Street, and also built and owns three other dwellings on Christian Street. Ile is the possessor of considerable real estate in the city, and intends in the near future to build on six lots on Dauphin Street.
To our subject and wife have been born four children: Laura, Carrie, Herman and Ilelen. In religious matters our subjeet is a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. Hle is in favor of all measures which have for their object the better- ment of his community, and in politics never fails to cast a vote for Republican eandidates.
OL. WILLIAM B. FORDNEY was born on Chestnut Hill, Lancaster County, April 14, 1807. His ancestors came from the line between France and Switzerland, and lived on North Queen Street before the Revolutionary War. When he was three years old his parents moved to Lancaster, and with the exception of four years spent at Allegheny College, he spent his entire life in the city of Lancaster. Ile read law with President James Buchanan and was ad- mitted to the practice of law in 1829, shortly after
FARM RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH S. HARNISH, SHENCKS FERRY, LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
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President Jackson took his seat. He received his military title from Governor Wolf, under whom he served. When Colonel Fordney first practiced law at Laneaster, that Bar had among its members law- vers of national reputation, including ex-President Buchanan, William Norris, Jame- Hopkins, Monl- ton Rogers ( afterward a supreme judge ), and many other legal lights. One of the early eases he tried was the celebrated Cobler murder, the de- fendant being charged with killing a Hebrew ped- dler. The body had seventeen wounds on it, and notwithstanding these wounds, the coroner's physi- cian was about to make an autopsy of the head to ascertain the cause of death! The trial, however, resulted in the conviction of Cobler, and his exe- cution followed in due time.
With the exception of two terms as prosecuting attorney, Colonel Fordney never held or sought office. He was nominated for Congress by the Democratic party, but declined. Hle practiced law forty years and was one of the most brilliant legal advocates and able counselors Pennsylvania ever possessed. During the last twenty years of his life he lived retired in the city of Lancaster, where he died in his eighty-third year, in July, 1889. Of his domestic relations it may be said in this connection that he was married November 1, 1837. to Miss Ellen JJenkins, who was born in Lan- easter in June, 1813. She was the daughter of Ilon. William JJenkins, a native of the same place. He was a suecessful attorney at law and died in the city of his birth. The family were origin- ally from Wales, but emigrated to America two hundred years ago, and were the first settlers at Churchtown, where they built and operated iron forges, and many members of the family were in the Colonial wars. Their children are: Mrs. Samuel H. Reynolds, Thomas P. Fordney, Will- iam J. Fordney and Mrs. William II. Potter. In social cireles, for more than half a century, there was no more conspicuous figure than Colonel Ford- ney. Of handsome and imposing figure; of pleas- ing, but dignified and courteous bearing, with a great fund of humor and replete with reminiscen- ees, he was the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was a warm friend of Simon Cameron, so active in the history of Penn-
sylvania for a generation. He was a loving hus- band, father and grandfather of children who re- vered and fondly loved him. The family were members of St. James' Episcopal Church.
H ARRY M. BLACK, M. D., of Strasburg, is in the enjoyment of an extensive prac- tice and has been very successful in his chosen profession. lle keeps fully abreast of the times and recent discoveries in the medical world by taking the leading journals, keeping up his studies, and by attending the medical societies to which he belongs. He is examiner for the North- western Life Insurance Company, for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, the New York Mutual and the Equitable Life In- surance Companies of New York, and the Mutual Life Association of Pennsylvania, and is examining physician on pension cases. lle is a leader among local politieians and members of the Demoeraey, being identified with the Young Men's Democratic Club of Paradise.
William Black, the paternal grandfather of the Doctor, was a drover and dealer in stock, in which lines of business he made a good fortune. He married Nancy MeLoy, and they had seven chil- dren, the eldest of whom, William. is the Doctor's father, and the others in the order of their birth are as follows: lane, who married Dr. Martin; Annie, Ross, Mary, Thomas A. and John.
William Black was born in the borough of Stras- burg. August 2, 1823, and followed the same vo- cation as did his father. Ile was a dealer in all kinds of live stock and was a stock broker. Fol- lowing in his father's footsteps in the question of polities also, he was a Democrat, and for a number of years was Councilman of Strasburg. For a
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period of a term or so he served as School Direc- tor, and educational advancement found in him a warm supporter. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church, to which denomination his wife al- so belongs. Fraternally he is identified with Stras- burg Lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all of the chairs. By his marriage with Eliza A. McAllister, he became the father of three children: Harry M., the subject of this narrative; Harriet C., who became the wife of William B. Bishop, and William R., who died in infancy.
Dr. Black was born in the borough of Stras- burg, July 2, 1852. and received his primary edu- cation in the public schools of the district, where he was a student until nearly sixteen years of age. For a year and a-half after leaving his school work he engaged in carpentering, but on account of poor health, was at the end of that time obliged to leave active work. and did little for the next year. In the fall of 1872 he took up the study of medicine. and for the following year read under the direc- tion of Dr. J. A. Groff. In the fall of 1872 he en- tered the Jefferson Medical College, where he took a year's course of study, after which he returned to this place, and again was under the tutelage of his former preceptor. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Philadelphia and was graduated from the Jeffer- son Medical College in that year with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In May of the same year, he opened an office in this place which has since that time been the scene of his labors. Ile has been very successful in building up a good practice and is popular and well liked by all. Hle is a member of the Lancaster County and State Medical Socie- ties. Ile is an interested member of several civie soeieties, belonging to Strasburg Lodge No. 361, 1. O. O. F., of which he is Past Grand, and is also a member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He belongs to the William Pitt Encampment of Odd Fellows of Paradise.
In 1886 Dr. Black married Carrie E. MeCord, who was born and reared in the city of Middle- town. Dauphin County. Pa. The lady, who is well educated and has always moved in the best social eireles, is the daughter of Joseph McCord, a promi- nent business man and liquor merchant of Middle- town. Dr. and Mrs. Black have become the par-
ents of three children, a son and two daughters: William, who was named in honor of his paternal grandfather: Maria E. and Annie.
H ON. EMANUEL D. ROATH. The history of Lancaster County would be truly in- complete did not the name and history of this, one of her most honored citizens, appear in its annals. Mr. Roath is a veteran of the War of the Rebellion, in which he did most valuable and commendable services for upwards of four years, during which time in addition to the usual perils and privations of army life he had also the misfortune to fall into the enemy's hands, being held for over six months in captivity. For two terms he has efficiently served as a Representative from this district to the Pennsylvania Legislature, having been first elected m 1857 and later in 1867. During his last term he was on the Military Com- mittee and as such was one of the authors of the Military bill which established the present National Guard of Pennsylvania. He was also on the Com- mittees of Agriculture and Corporation and is author of the Desertion bill. In 1867 and for the term succeeding he was very active in the House and was one of the leaders of the Republican party.
The birth of Mr. Roath took place in the city of Lancaster, October 4. 1820. His ancestors have been residents of this county for three generations, and his great-grandparents on both sides of the family were natives of Baden, Germany. On the paternal side, three brothers came to this locality, one settling near Lancaster, one going to Ephrata and the other locating in the Jumber regions of the state. The maternal grandfather was a farmer and extensive land-owner. Ilis property, which was sit- uated along Chickies Creek between what is known as Chickies Mill and Mt. Joy, has been handed down from father to son until the present time. Jacob Roath, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster, and there followed his trade of tailoring. He died
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in early manhood, not having reached two score years when claimed by death. lle was one of Gen- eral Lafayette's escorts from Paoli to Lancaster and was a member of General Hambright's Company, the Lancaster "Phalanx." Like his father, he was a member of the Reformed Church and in politics was a Democrat. By his marriage with Susannah Shireman he had four children, three of whom are deceased. They were as follows: John, Emanuel D., Jacob, and Philip B and were all in the mili- tary service, John as a member of the One Ilun- dred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Infantry ; Jacob, Lieutenant of Company B, Forty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, Veteran Volunteers, and Philip as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Sev- enth Pennsylvania Infantry, under command of our subject.
The boyhood of Hon. Mr. Roath was passed in Maytown and near Marietta and he received his education in the public schools of that locality and in the academy at Shippensburg. He taught school for some years and during intervening periods also worked on the farm. About 1854 he was elected Magistrate of Marietta and has continued in that office up to the present time, having been elected eight times. In 1861 he was appointed Captain of Company E, One Hundred and Seventh Pennsyl- vania Veteran Infantry, by Governor Curtin. Go- ing to the front he was assigned to the Second Di- vision of the First Army Corps, commanded by Col. John F. Reynolds, and took part in the engage- ments of South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellors- ville, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, Rappahannock, the second battle of Bull Run and many others, in- cluding that of Gettysburg. In that famous en- counter with the enemy and in nearly all of the engagements mentioned Mr. Roath was in command of the regiment and for his meritorious services was subsequently brevetted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and finally Colonel. On the Weldon Road he was taken prisoner by the rebels and conveyed first to Libby, then to Salisbury, then to Danville and later returned to Libby Prison. After 1867 Mr. Roath continued in the duties of Magistrate and convey- ancer. Ile has always taken a very active part in county politics, his opinion and authority having great weight therein. For twelve years he has
been School Director and at all times has devoted himself to the best interests of the borough.
In 1848 occurred the marriage of Mr. Roath and Susan R., daughter of Samuel Hipple, now deceased, and formerly of Marietta. Of this union two chil- dren, George and Anna, were born. The mother died in 1853 and Mr. Roath was married in 1858 to Harriet C. Young. This lady was a daughter of John Young, now deceased, and in former years a resident of Marietta borough. To Mr. and Mrs. Roath were born Charles Emanuel and Barsina H. The former has been called from this life and the devoted wife and mother died in December, 1892.
For half a century Mr. Roath has been identified with the Odd Fellows' society, for more than twen- ty-one years was a Representative to the Grand Lodge and has held all the offices in his home lodge. He is also Past Master of Ashara Lodge, held in Marietta, F. & A. M. and belongs to the Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templar. He is Past Commander of the Grand Army Post of this place and is ex-State Counselor of the American Mechanics' organization. Religiously, he holds membership with St. John's Episcopal Church of Marietta, of which he is Warden. His hfe has been most exemplary and has been unostentatiously de- voted to upholding and promoting the best inter- ests of his fellows.
A RNOLD HAAS, of Lancaster, is one of the industrious and enterprising business men of the place. and for years has been propri- etor and owner of the Northern Market Hotel, at Nos, 323 to 328 North Queen Street. He has made many very material improvements upon this struc- ture since he came in possession of it, and by his good business methods, the courteous treatment of his patrons, and the neat way in which everything is kept about the hotel, receives a large patronage. Ile has become quite well-to-do in thoroughly legitimate and honorable lines and has invested
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his income to good advantage. A self-made man in the truest sense of the word, he has had his own way to make in the world and has fought the bat- tle of life bravely, coming off conqueror over ad- verse circumstances. Though disappointments and losses have come to him as to all, he has been un- daunted and has pursued the even tenor of his way.
Arnold Haas was born September 21. 1831. in Grube, Switzerland, and his parents. John B. and Anna (Engyele) Haas, were natives of the same country. The former resided all his life at Grube, where he was Postmaster for years and kept a general provision store. In 1847 he served for two months in the Swiss Army. By his marriage he had only one child, the subject of this narrative, and he was called from this life at the age of sixty- seven years. Ile was a conscientious and just man, holding membership with the Reformed Church.
Arnold Haas received a good education in his native land, and on completing his studies served a regular apprenticeship at the weaver's trade. This calling he followed for several years, and was married in 1861, five years after which, with his wife. he crossed the Atlantic and located in Philadelphia. In that city for a period of two years he worked at his trade and then became a resident of Jefferson County, Neb .. where he re- mained for three years engaged in the cultivation of a farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres.
In 1871 Mr. Haas went to Chicago, and there met with severe losses at the time of the great fire of that year. Soon afterward he returned to the Quaker City, where he obtained employment for two years, and in 1874 he permanently settled in Lancaster, which has for the past twenty years been his place of abode. For some four years he was proprietor of the Tremont Ilouse, and in 1878 be- came the owner of the hotel which he has since conducted. The standard of this hostelry he has raised materially, has placed another story on the building and otherwise enlarged and remodeled the same, in addition to which he has built a good stable.
In his native land Mr. Haas was united in mar- riage October 7. 1861, with Miss Anna Naf, a native of the same country, and she has proved a valuable companion and helpmate to her husband
in the journey of life. In religious faith Mr. Haas is a member of the Reformed Church, and socially is connected with the Masonic order. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party, and manifests a commendable public spirit, holding that the good of the majority is to be consid- ered in preference to that of a few.
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