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 64
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Having determined to give his life to the medi- cal profession, Dr. Bolenius now took up the study with Dr. Henry Carpenter as his preceptor, and subsequently entered the Medical Department of the Maryland State University, from which he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Medicine upon his graduation in March, 1873. At once the young Doctor returned to Lancaster and has since been engaged in active practice. At first his office was just across from his present one, where he has been located since 1875. For fifteen successive years he was one of the physicians of the Lancas- ter County Hospital and Insane Aslum; for six years has been the Coroner's physician, and for a like period of time has been a member of the City Board of Health. For years he has been identified with the Lancaster County, the State Medical, the American Medical and the Lancaster Pathological Associations.
Fraternally Dr. Bolenius is a member of Lamber- ton Lodge No. 476, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master and a Trustee, and also belongs to Chapter No. 43, R. A. M., and Commandery No. 13. K. T. Of Perfection Lodge Fourteenth De-
DH. . . AG
REV. E. V. GERHART, D. D.
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gree, A. N. S. R., he is the Grand Secretary. In polities the Doctor is a Republican, having served for eight years on the Common Council of the Fourth Ward, being President for one year, and for two years served on the Select Council. Ever actively interested in the cause of education, he has been a member of the School Board for twelve years, and has been Chairman of the Text Book Committee and on the Committee of Course of In- struction. In his religious belief he is a Lutheran, being a member of Trinity Church.
In 1875 Dr. Bolenins was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Dr. II. Carpen- ter, a prominent surgeon and general practitioner, who was very well known in Lancaster. He was a graduate of the Pennsylvania University at Phil- adelphia, and was a surgeon in the army. In pol- ities he was a very prominent Democrat up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1888, when he was about sixty-six years of age. To the Doc- tor and his worthy wife were born five children, who are still living. Emma M. and Henry C. are attending the Ingh school, being members of the Class of '94; Adolphus W. belongs to the Class of '95; Mary C., also a student in the high school, ex- pects to graduate therefrom in 1897; and Cathe- rine completes the family.
R EV. EMANUEL V. GERIIART, D. D., LL. D., is President of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States, which is located at Lancaster. Dr. Gerhart is a gentleman of rare scholarship and general qualifications, besides being an author dis- tinguished for his philosophy and clearness of in- duction. For several years he has devoted deep thought and study to the work entitled "Insti- tutes of the Christian Religion," which has been issued in two volumes, and is the most complete and systematic setting forth of Christianity and the doctrines of the church that has perhaps ever been published.
The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was Abraham Gerhart, a native of Sellersville, Bucks County, this state, where he engaged in farm-
ing. Ilis father, Peter Gerhart, came from Alsace, France, in 1730, settling in Bucks County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. The Doc- tor's father. Rev. Isaac Gerhart, was also born in Bucks County, and early began his theological studies. On being ordained a minister in the Re- formed Church, he took charge of a congregation in Union County and then followed many years of very arduous work in the Master's vineyard. For a time he resided in Frederick City, Md., and in Manheim, Lancaster County. Ihis death oc- curred in February, 1865, in Lancaster, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was very musically in- elined and published a book of songs. His wife, who was before her marriage Sarah Vogel, was born in Northampton County and was reared in Philadel- phia. She was of French descent and was reared in the Lutheran faith. By her marriage she be- came the mother of five elnldren, four of whom are living, and she was called from the family circle by death in 1861.
Rev. Mr. Gerhart was born in Freeburg, Union County, Pa., June 13, 1817, and until he was six- teen years of age the most of his time was passed in Millersburg, on the banks of the Susquehan- na. Ile was educated in the high school of York, Pa., and in Marshall College in Mercersburg. He graduated in 1838 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and three years later that of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. In 1842 he was ordained to the ministry, after pursuing a three years' course in the theological seminary. His first charge was as pastor of four congregations in Franklin County, Pa .; and in April, 1843, he was made Pastor of a church in Gettysburg, Adams County, and had three other churches under his super- vision. When a little more than six years had passed he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. to do mission- ary work among the Germans, beginning his la- bors in a shanty, but ultimately laid the founda- tions of a good church on Elm Street. He was Superintendent of missions and traveled exten- sively in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky in the inter- est of the work.
In the fall of 1850 Dr. Gerhart was elected Pro- fessor of theology in the Tiffin (Ohio) Theolog- ical Seminary, and was also made President of
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Heidelberg College, of Tiffin, Ohio. The latter in- stitution was founded in the fall of 1850, and the following spring Dr. Gerhart became its first President. In 1853 Franklin and Marshall Col- leges were united but had no President until 1855, when the position was offered to our subject. Ac- cordingly, in the spring of that year he accepted the honor, and in addition to his other duties was Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy for the next eleven years. He then resigned the Presi- deney, becoming Vice-President for two years, and held the same chairs as formerly. In 1868 he was elected to fill a Professorship in the Mercersburg Theological Seminary, being also chosen President of the institution. He is presiding pastor of St. Steven's Reformed Church, and has been Presi- dent of the Eastern Synod several times. During the '50s he held a like position in the Ohio Synod and has been President of the General Synod.
January 3, 1843, Dr. Gerhart and Eliza Ricken- bangh were united in marriage in Ilagerstown, Md., of which place the lady was a native. Her father, Martin Rickenbaugh, was formerly a well known business man of Hagerstown. Four chil- dren have blessed the union of our subject and his wife. Col. William R., a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, in the Class of '63, was in the serviee during the war and remained in the army until 1867. He is now a solicitor of patents. The second son, Rev. Robert Leighton, was also educated in Franklin and Marshall College, and graduated from the Theological Seminary in 1871; he is a minister in the Reformed Church at Bed- ford, Pa. Virginia is a teacher of drawing and painting at the Linden Hall Seminary of Lititz, Pa. Paul, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, studied law and was admitted to the Bar, but is now engaged in the grocery trade in Lan- caster. Dr. Gerhart and his sons use their right of franchise in favor of the Republican party.
·H ENRY K. BAUMGARDNER, one of the enterprising and successful business men of Lancaster, is proprietor of a wholesale and retail lumber and coal yard, having one of the oldest sites in the city, and being successor to B. B.
Martin & Co., under which name the trade is con- tinued. A native of Lancaster, our subject was born on Duke Street, JJanuary 9, 1851 ; here he grew to manhood and attended the excellent publie schools. He is the only living son of Henry Baum- gardner, a well known resident of this locality.
For a time, HI. K. Baumgardner was a student in the preparatory department at Franklin and Mar- shall College, which he left to engage in business. Going to Philadelphia, he established a rope and cordage manufactory in company with B. J. Wood- ward, with a plant at Beverly, N. J. The firm started in business under the name of Baumgard- ner, Woodward & Co., and by good management and the excellent ability of both partners, their trade increased year by year until the house be- came fourth in rank in the United States. The produets turned out by this concern were manilla, sisal and similar ropes and cordage, and our sub- jeet was Superintendent of the manufactory. In January, 1888, this extensive plant was disposed of to the National Cordage Company of New York. The firm had a fine exhibition of all sizes and kinds of rope at the Centennial, one notable example being six inches in diameter and nine hundred feet long.
In the fall of 1888 our subject became a partner in the firm of B. B. Martin & Co., dealers in lum- ber and coal at No. 424 North Water Street, and their connection existed until August, 1890, when Mr. Martin's death occurred, our subjeet then pur- chasing his share in the business and becoming sole proprietor. This firm, one of the oldest in the city, was started by Mr. Martin fully forty-five years ago. The buildings are of brick and frame, with numerous sheds, ete. The firm ships lumber and coal in both wholesale and retail quantities to many points outside the city, having a side track from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mr. Baumgard- ner is sole agent for the Martindale bituminous coal, mined by his brother-in-law, J. C. Martin.
The marriage of Mr. Baumgardner took place in this city in 1877, when Miss L. E. Martin became his wife. The lady was born and reared in this locality, being a daughter of B. B. Martin, also a native of the county. He was reared on a farm, and on attaining mature years entered the dry-
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goods business in Lancaster, later turning his at- tention to the coal and lumber trade, in which he succeeded, acquiring a considerable fortune. Our subject and wife are members of St. John's Lu- theran Church, Mr. Baumgardner being a member of the Board of Trustees and Assistant Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. He votes with the Republican party and belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, having joined the order in Beverly, N. J., and is Past Master of Lancaster Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M. In connection with his business inter- ests he is a member of the Pennsylvania Retail Lumbermen's Protective Association.
RANK P HART is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of rest from his former years of toil, making his home in Strasburg. Lancaster County. His career has been very active and useful, and in the capacity of editor his influence upon the public has been very marked. For a number of years, he was en- gaged in the profession of teaching, in which work he was very successful, and also did well during his connection with several leading newspapers of this state. Ilis latest venture was as publisher of the Strasburg Free Press, which he sold out in 1890, and has not been engaged in business since the spring of 1893.
Peter Ilart, the father of Frank P., was born in Lancashire, England, and emigrated to America in 1812. By trade he was a cotton manufacturer, and for a number of years operated a factory at Derby, Delaware County, this state. Subsequently he was more extensively engaged in manufactur- ing at Landenburg, Chester County, where he con- tinued to have his headquarters until the year 1873. Then going to Philadelphia, he was retired from business until his death, in 1876. Politically he was an old-line Whig, and later became a Re-
publican. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was Sunday-school Superintend- ent for many years, and was Trustee and Class- leader for a long period. About the year 1827 he married Miss Mary Brelsford, and they had eight children, only four of whom still survive. Those who have passed from the shores of time are James, William, Catherine and Mary; and the others are, Frank P .; Louisa, who married Joseph Lemon; Samuel and Edwin K.
Frank P. Hart was born in Philadelphia, Octo- ber 19, 1829, and received his education in the public schools of the Quaker City and in those of Chester County. When about seventeen years of age lie completed his schooling, and was employed by his father in his cotton factory. As this busi- ness was not just to his inclination, he relinquished the trade and became a coach-maker, at which vo- eation he worked for about four years. In 1857 he commenced teaching school, and for the next eight months was engaged in this profession at Birmingham, Chester County. It was in 1859 that our subject first came to this county, and here he devoted the next thirteen years to the pro- fession of teaching. At the expiration of this time he became interested in a newspaper which he edited in Coatesville, Chester County, for about three years. Then, returning to Lancaster Coun- ty. he became managing editor of the Lancaster Daily Examiner. With this experience he was then prepared to become associate editor of the Pitts- burg Telegraph, in which position he continued for some time. The post of Revenue Officer for the Ninth District of Pennsylvania being tendered him, he accepted the same, and served as such for nine years. Ilis next undertaking was in the life insurance business, which he followed for some time at Lititz, Pa., and then returning to Stras- burg, engaged in merchandising for five years, and during this time also published the Strasburg Free Press.
For over a quarter of a century Mr. Hart has been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for twenty-six years has officiated as a Ruling El- der. In Sunday-school work he has also done his share, and for years was Superintendent. Ile is a member of Monterey Lodge No. 242, I. O.
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O. F .; Lititz Lodge No. 252, K. of P .; and of Lititz Lodge No. 76, Knights of the Golden Eagle. September 13, 1855, Mr. Hart was married to Eliza J. Wiley, who was born in Strasburg, and they have one child, a daughter, Ella B., at home.
OJIN II. OSTERTAG, who is one of the prominent and substantial business men in Columbia, has a fine furniture and undertak- ing establishment, to which he has lately ad- ded a full line of carpets, and also takes orders for cabinet-making. Our subject is the son of Andrew and Eva M. (Hethinger) Ostertag, and was born in West Hempfield Township, this county, January 5, 1857.
The father of our subject is a native of Baden, Germany, and emigrated to the United States when a young man of twenty-five years. Ile at once located in West Hempfield Township, where he was the possessor of a fine estate which he op- erated until 1894, and then retired from active business, and now makes his home in Columbia. Hle is a Democrat in politics and a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. By his union with Miss Hethinger he became the father of four children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth, and the eldest died in infancy. Andrew M., who with John IJ. is the only member of the family living, is a cabinet-maker by trade and is head workman in the establishment of our subject in this city.
1
The original of this sketch, like most of the farmer boys, attended the district school during odd seasons on the farm, and when only fifteen years of age began to earn his own living by work- ing out at $10 per month. He afterward worked in the mines until 1875, for which he received $1 per day, and then began learning the trade of a cabinet-maker, serving an apprenticeship of three and one-half years. After becoming thoroughly acquainted with the business he abandoned it and
returned to farming. This did not occupy him but a short time and he later went to Littlestown, working at his trade, which he followed with good results until 1882, when, in January of that year, he established himself in the furniture and undertak- ing business in this city. He applied himself very industriously to building up a good trade, and now has one of the best equipped houses in his line of business in Columbia, and commands a good pat- ronage.
John II. Ostertag was married in 1882 to Miss Mary Westerman, and to them has been born a family of four children. Charles A., Harry C., Celia A. and John W. In his political relations. our subject is an ardent Democrat and never fails to vote that ticket. IJe stands very high in Masonic circles and belongs to Lodge No. 286 in this city, and the Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection, No. 20. Mr. Ostertag belongs to the Funeral Directors Association and is actively connected with the Retail Merchants Association of Columbia, in which he has served as Vice-President. Ile is a liberal contributor to the support of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected for many years. In all his dealings Mr. Ostertag has preserved the inherent honesty and integrity of his character, and as one of the best citizens of the community, holds the unlimited confidence of all who know him.
OHN MUSSER, President of the First Na- tional Bank of Marietta, is a retired agricul- turist and fruit grower of Lancaster County. He is now a resident of Rowenna, and was born in East Donegal Township, January 17, 1826. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Gisch) Musser, were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of Swiss an- cestry, the Musser family having made their home in this county for about five generations. The father of our subject was born in Manor Town- ship, in June, 1799. Ile was a farmer by occu- pation and spent his entire life tilling the soil.
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Hle made a sneeess of the business, and accumulated considerable property before his death. He was also one of the prominent men in the community, filling various offices in the township, and taking an active part in the public improvements of his vi- einity. Ile was a consistent member of the church called the Brethren in Christ, and for a short time served as Deacon in the same. Nine children were born to Ilenry and Elizabeth Musser, three of whom lived to mature years. Mary is the wife of David Eyer, now deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of Ifenry M. Engle, also deceased, and John is next.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his fa- ther's farm, and attended the public schools of his locality in his youth. Ile remained with his par- ents until 1852, when he started out in life for him- self. Ile purchased a farm near where he now re- sides and engaged in agricultural pursuits. and for thirty years was considered one of the most pros- perons and progressive farmers of the county. In the last few years of his farm life, he made fruit growing a specialty, finding in it a source of much pleasure as well as profit. He has for some time practically retired from the arduous labor of a farmer, but is still a prominent business man in the community, occupying the high position of President of the First National Bank of Marietta, and for eleven years has served as School Director, besides filling various other offices in his township and county.
John Musser and Miss Martha Berg were united in marriage January 7, 1851; she is a daughter of Jacob and Fanny Berg, well known and highly re- spected citizens of Conoy Township. Mr. and Mrs. Musser became the parents of four children. Henry C. married Ida S. Plaine and is at present interested in mining property in Virginia; Alice is the wife of Amos Zigler, of Rowenna; Hiram and Eugene are both deceased.
Politically our subject is a staneh Prohibitionist and a warm advocate of the principles of the "New Party." The temperance cause will always find in him a friend. He is a member of the church of the Brethren in Christ, and is actively engaged in the good work of promoting the Gospel. Finan- cially prospered and blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, Mr. Musser is ranked among
the leading citizens of Rowenna, and is recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability. Ilis high social standing and excellent business qualities have gained for him a large cirele of warm and true friends.
T HEODORE WENDITZ, who was one of the brave defenders of the Stars and Stripes during the late War of the Rebellion, and took part in many of the most important engage- ments in which the Fifth and Twenty-second Army Corps did service, has for a number of years past made his home in Lancaster. He is now en- gaged in carrying on a restaurant and wholesale oyster depot at No. 210 North Queen Street, his location being well adapted for this branch of trade. As a business man he has evinced good ability in the management of his affairs, and has amassed a comfortable fortune.
The Wenditz family were early settlers in Lan- easter County, being of Scotch-Irish descent. It is known that the great-great-grandfather of our subject was a resident of Drumore Township, and that there Christian, the next in deseent, was born. Of the latter's three sons, Christian, John and Dan- iel, the last mentioned was our subjeet's grandfa- ther. He was born in Harrisburg, and for fifty years lived in Strasburg, following his trade as a tailor for a few years, and afterward taking up various industrial pursuits. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which he died when in his sixty-ninth year. Ile married Susannah Cline, of Safe Harbor, and to them were born nine children, of whom the two eldest died in infancy. The others were Jacob, Christian, Evan, Mrs. Mary Waters, Mrs. Nancy Murdock, Mrs. Catherine Neal and Mrs. Margaret Ailes. The wife and mother died when in her eighty-fifth year.
Christian Wenditz, the father of our subject, was born August 25, 1810, at Strasburg, Pa., where he resided until 1832. Ile then became a resident
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of Drumore Township, where for twenty years he was employed in working at his trade, that of shoemaking. In 1853 he came to Lancaster, where he obtained employment in elerking and other mercantile lines. For a few years he was with Herman Miller, in the soap and candle business, and subsequently was janitor in the high school until retiring from active life, his last years being quietly passed at the homes of his children. In politics he is a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Markley, died November 21, 1867. She was the mother of seven children: Will- iam M. and Susan, who died in infancy; Charles, a soldier in the late war, who was killed on the railroad; Albert, who was also in the service; Theodore; Martha L., Mrs. Rodgers; and Anne E., wife of Capt. E. McMullen, proprietor of the Exchange Ilotel, and a bridge contractor of Lan- caster.
Theodore Wenditz was born September 10, 1838, at Chestnut Level, Drumore Township, and there received a common-school education. When fif- teen years of age he began learning the carpen- ter's trade, and assisted in building the Cardwell Hotel, now known as the Heister House. On the 13th of June, 1861, he enlisted in Company B. First Pennsylvania Reserves, Thirtieth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, as a Corporal, and was promoted in January of the next year to the post of Sergeant. After the battle of Bull Run he was transferred to the United States service, reported to General Dix at Camp Carroll. near Baltimore, Md., July 22, 1861, and was assigned to the First Brigade of MeCall's Division. For some time he was engaged on Provost duty at Fredericksburg, Va., and on June 13, 1862, was placed in Seymour's Division of the Fifth Army Corps. In the battle of Fred- ericksburg he was wounded by a musket ball which lodged in his right forearm, and which has never been extracted. lle had many other narrow es- capes, balls frequently passing through his clothes and grazing his skin. Among the many engage- ments in which he took part are the following: Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, An- tietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bush Station, Mine Run, battle of the Wilderness and Spottsyl- vania. He served in three battles after the ex-
piration of his term of enlistment, and was finally mustered out June 13, 1864.
Returning from the south, Mr. Wenditz engaged in condueting a market business, and for three years kept four cars filled with produce running between Laneaster, Philadelphia and Baltimore. For about two years and a-half he was bar-keeper at the Union League, now called the National House, and afterward was employed for a short time in a restaurant in Lancaster. For over twenty years he was engaged in business for himself at the Chestnut Street Ilotel. In 1891 he removed to Walnut Street, buying the homestead formerly owned by his wife's father. He has succeeded in building up a very large trade in oysters, selling to the numerous restaurants and hotels in the city and vicinity.
September 11, 1865, Mr. Wenditz married Miss Mary, daughter of John Rees, and to them have been born three sons and a daughter. Charles A. married Miss Sadie Leib, and is interested with his father in business. The others are Harry E., Mag- gie and Amos D. The daughter married Paul Ep- pel, assistant editor of the Free Press. Mr. Wen- ditz had the settling up of the estate of John Rees, his wife's father, who was an old and respected resident of this city.
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