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 67
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Our subject's father, Samuel E., was born in Earl Township, and followed farming as a means of ob- taining his livelihood. He married Elizabeth Landis, who bore him five children: Mary A., Eli, Benjamin, John, and Samuel L., only two of whom are living. The father died in 1865, aged forty-nine years, but his wife is still surviving. Ile was first a Whig and later a Republican, and like his father held membership with the Mennonite Church.
The birth of Samuel L. Weaver occurred De- cember 11, 1851, in Earl Township, and in the schools of that locality he received his education. He remained on the old homestead until he was married, when he embarked in the milling business in West Lampeter Township, and operated the Landis Mills for the next four years. Afterwards he followed farming for five years in Ephrata Township, on the property of his father-in-law, after which for a like period of time he conducted a farm of his own. In January, 1884, he started in the hardware business as a member of the firm of Messner, Getz & Weaver, and in 1892 succeeded to the whole business.
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In November, 1874, Mr. Weaver married Rebecca Mohler, daughter of John L. Mohler, of Ephrata Township. She became the mother of three chil- dren: Ilorace Walter, Ella Elizabeth, and John Barton. April 15, 1887, she was summoned by death from her home, being then only thirty-three years of age. Mr. Weaver owns a farm in Ephrata Township in addition to his business, and has been very successful in his financial undertakings. For six years he has been a Director of the Penn Town- ship Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Politically
he uses his ballot in favor of the Republican party, and fraternally is a member of Ephrata Lodge No. 406, 1. O. O. F., and of Manheim Lodge No. 587, F. & A. M.
T HE FRY FAMILY. As this is one of the most influential and popular families of Lancaster, as well as one of the first rep- resented in Pennsylvania, some account of the genealogy will be of interest to our readers. The founder of the family in America was HIenry Fry, a native of Altheim, Alsace, who crossed the At- lantie and settled in Pennsylvania before the ad- vent of William Penn. The "Halliche Machrich- ten." published in this state as early as 1744, states that Henry Fry with several associates came to Pennsylvania and settled here before the time of Penn, probably between 1675 and 1680. He was accompanied by Wigert Levering, Jacob Reeff and a third party whose name is unknown.
The friends settled as "squatters" on a broad huckleberry plain between what is now German- town and Roxborough. As the climate was de- lightful, and fish and game were abundant, they enjoyed their novel hfe in America. After a time Reeff returned and was married, bringing with him to America his young wife, also the family of Mr. Levering. Henry Fry remained a bachelor until one of Mr. Levering's daughters became a young lady, when they were married, April 26, 1692. Their wedding was solemnized in the old log meet- ing house that had been constructed by the origi- nal settlers of that district.
Nine children were born of this union, of whom it is known positively that six attained mature years. Jacob remained at home and took care of his aged father, but his two brothers removed to the older state of Virginia and settled there. There were three daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Amelia. Near the site of the present city of Roxborough, now a part of Philadelphia, the father acquired large landed possessions, including a tract of twelve
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hundred and fifty acres of partly improved land. Dotted here and there upon the sunny slope of the mountain, and beside the river banks, were the wigwams of the Indians, and in one of their villages lived a celebrated Indian chief. Amid these primeval surroundings Henry Fry continued to reside until his death; his body was buried in a private burial ground near the old home. As above stated he had six children who attained ma- turity, namely: Jacob, lolin and William; Eliza- beth, who married Dr. John Miller, of Frederick; Amelia, wife of Frederick Leinbach; and Rebecca. The other children died when young.
As time passed by, the descendants of the origi- nal pioneer gradually moved up the Schuylkill Valley to Wilkes Barre. One of their number, Martin, came from Berks County, and settled in Lancaster County before the War of the Revolu- tion, establishing his home in Cocalico Township. Ile was born in 1726, and died in 1806. Twice married, his first wife, Hannah. bore him two chil- dren, namely: John Martin Fry, Jr., who was born in 1754 and died in 1832; and Mrs. Margaret Frankhouser. By his second wife, who was a Miss Beck, he had the following named children: Sus- anna; Mrs. Regnia Kegerise; Mrs. Eve Rote; Eliza- beth, who married George Radel, and went to Canada; Catherine, Mrs. Adam Hoe; Mrs. Mary Furnsler; Mrs. Dorothy Heft, and Mrs. Catherine Breidenstein.
John Martin Fry, Jr., married Catherine Kapp, of Lebanon County, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Martin; John, who mar- ried Christiana Long; Peter; Jacob, who married Sarah Garman; Mary, who married J. Bricker; and Margaret, who became the wife of Jacob Bentz, of Clay Township. In 1784 John Martin moved to what is now Fry's Mill in Ephrata Township, and here he engaged in the milling business, operating a mill which is still in the possession of the family. He died at the home place, and is buried at the Berg Strasse Church.
Peter Fry married Sarah Hauck, and in 1805 settled in the vicinity of Shippensburg, Pa., but in 1821 returned to Lancaster County, where he died three years later. ITis children were Mary, who married Dr. Senseman; Curtis; Jacob, who married
Eliza Ilerb, followed the trade of a blacksmith in Clay Township, and accumulated a large estate; Daniel; Eliza, wife of L. Bricker; Samuel; George and Isaae, who died without leaving families; and Peter, who died in 1882, leaving three daughters and four sons, Peter, David A., Aaron A. and John A., the latter Postmaster at Ephrata. Jacob, at his death, left six children, namely: Abram, Adam, Hiram, Mary; Emeline, Mrs. J. B. Kleine, deceased; and Annie, Mrs. Frank Bort, of Reading. Daniel, who was a tanner by trade, was long a resident of Ilahnstown, Pa., and died in 1861; his widow, whose maiden name was Sarah Merkle, lives in Denver. Their children were Urias M .. of Akron; Daniel, who died in Lancaster County, leaving one child; Henry M., of Reading, Pa .; Sabina, Mrs. A. J. Ream, of Denver; and Sarah, wife of George R. Sensenig, of Lancaster; Samuel, who died near Manheim in 1860, left two children, Frank, whose home is in Steelton, Pa., and Susan, wife of Samuel Weaver, of Camden, N. 3.
Curtis Fry, above named, was born in 1808, and was a farmer by occupation, his home being in Ephrata Township. When fourteen and one-half years of age he drove a six horse team to Pitts- burg. In 1832 he married Miss Catherine Shaeffer, and at his death, in 1874, left seven children. Martin S., the eldest, is Clerk of Quarter Sessions; William H., a resident of Winona, Minn., has been in the United States Railroad Postal service since 1872; Isaac N., of South Dakota, was in the army for four years and three months during the Civil War, serving as Sergeant of Marines; by special act of Congress he was presented with a medal of of honor for gallantry on the war ship "Ticon- deroga;" S. Lem also resides in South Dakota; Elizabeth, wife of John R. Shirk, lives in South Bend, Ind .; Sarah A. married Jacob W. Landis, of Ephrata; Emma is the wife of J. Y. Weidman.
Martin S., the eldest, was reared under the pa- rental roof, and in boyhood attended the common schools of this locality. For a short period he was a student in the Morristown Academy. In 1858 he married Miss Catherine Miller, and they have had seven children, namely: Horace M., A. Lin- coln, S. Curtis, M. Ellwood, John M., E. May and M. Alice. From 1858 until 1885 he was engaged
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in agricultural pursuits, and meantime served as United States store-keeper and ganger, to which position he was appointed in 1876. In 1882 he became Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue. and three years later accepted the position of judgment and mortgage clerk for the County Commissioners. In 1893 he was elected Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions for Lancaster County, which posi- tion he now holds, residing in the borough of Ephrata.
Socially Martin S. Fry atliliates with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious belief he is a Lutheran. In the Republican party he is a local leader, and has been its representa- tive in various county and state conventions dur- ing the greater portion of his term. Since 1860 he has been a member of the Board of County Committeemen of the Republican party. In vari- ous other offices of trust he has rendered faithful and efficient service, and is justly popular among his fellow-citizens.
I SAAC B. GROFF, one of the rising business men of Fertility, where he is engaged in the milling business, combines independence and self reliance with energy, and with these qualities is bound to make a success of whatever he under- takes. Ile was born in Lancaster Township, this county, February 8, 1886, and is the son of Isaac W. and Catherine ( Brenneman) Groff.
The Groff family is of Swiss origin, and an old and reliable one in this county. Benjamin Groff, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of this county, where he was engaged in farming, owning a tract of ninety acres which he cultivated with good success. He was a Whig in politics and was recognized by all as a first-class citizen. Ile married a Miss Buck walter, and by her became the father of three daughters and four sons, Mary, Anna, Mary, Benjamin, Isaac, Henry and Abraham. The grandfather died about 1840, aged sixty years,
and his good wife followed him to the better land in 1874, when in the seventieth year of her age.
Isaac W. Groff, the father of our subject, was also born in Lancaster Township, the date thereof be- ing October 19, 1829. Ile was given as good an education as could be obtained in the vicinity of his home, and was trained to farm pursuits, which vocation he followed until 1870. He was success- ful in his work and accumulated a handsome for- tune, owning a good estate of two hundred acres, which he sold in the above year, and soon there- after purchased the Normal Roller Mills at Millers- ville, this county. These he conducted success- fully for twenty years, when he retired from busi- ness and is now living in the enjoyment of all the comforts of life. Ile is a member of the Mennonite Church, which he has served in the capacity of Deacon.
When twenty-three years of age the father of our subject was married to Miss Catherine, the daughter of Mr. Brenneman, a farmer living near Safe IIarbor. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom Sarah, the eldest, died in infancy, as did also Brenneman. Ida is the wife of Benjamin Herr; Willis married Lizzie Strickler; Alice is at home; Benjamin married Anna Lintner; Isaac B. was the next in order of birth and Lillie married Abraham Mann. The wife and motlier departed this life in 1868, aged thirty-seven years. She was also a devoted member of the Men- nonite Church. In 1877 Isaac W. Groff was mar- ried to Miss Susan Trout.
The original of this sketch was educated in the common schools and the Millersville State Normal. Completing his school life at the age of fifteen, hie entered his father's mill, in which he remained until coming to Fertility in 1891. That year he purchased the mills at this place, his building be- ing 40x60 feet in dimensions, with a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day. Ile does both mer- chant and custom work, and manufactures several brands of flour, his specialty, however, being "Althea." Besides the mill property, Mr. Groff owns a thirty-acre tract of land, to the cultivation of which he gives his personal attention.
February 28, 1889, our subject married Lizzie, daughter of Jacob Miller, a general merchant of
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New Danville, this county, and their union has been blessed by the birth of a daughter and son, Edith and Raymond. In polities Mr. Groff is a stal- wart Republican, and in all publie enterprises he takes a leading part, and is recognized by all as a first-class eitizen.
C
H ENRY ELSEN, contractor and builder, is among the successful mechanics of Lan- easter, and the biographieal record of this eity would not be complete without a brief sketch of his career. Ile is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born at Freiberg, November 24, 1836. His father was Mathias Elsen, a native of the same country, and died when our subject was only two years of age. His mother's name was Mona Morks, and she died when llenry was but a small child. Hle then went to hve with a man who was a butcher by trade, remaining with bim until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to live on a farm. After several years of farm life he spent two years on the sea working as a deek hand, after which he returned to a farm, where he was made foreman, and in 1868 came to America, sailing by the steamer "America" to New York City and from that place he came direet to Lan- caster. His first work after arriving in this coun- try was that of making fenees, which he followed for two years.
In 1883 Mr. Elsen commeneed as a contractor and builder, having already worked at the carpen- ter's trade with William Wohlsen for five years. lle has built many fine struetures in and about the city of Lancaster. It was in the year 1875 that he built a fine residence for his own use and now owns this and one on an adjoining lot, at No. 545 Green Street.
August 19, 1870, marked a new era in this man's life, for it was upon this date that he was united in marriage, at Lancaster, to Miss Annie Wohlsen, who was a native of Faulzenbourg, Hanover. She
was reared in Germany and is the second eldest child of seven children. Mrs. Elsen came to Amer- iea in 1868 on the steamer "Cumbria." By this union nine children were born, namely: William J., a carpenter in Lancaster; John H., a carpenter in the same place; Fred W., a butcher of Lancaster; Katie M., Annie M., Ilarry P., Emma M., Louis P. and Ilerbert O.
Being a man of intelligence and well read, our subject has seen the benefits of belonging to some of the eivie societies. He is a member of Red Jacket Lodge No. 9 of the Order of Red Men, and is also a member of Washington Council of the Seven Wise Men. Like a majority of the Ger- mans now living in Laneaster, onr subjeet is a de- voted member of the Lutheran Church, he being identified with Zion's Church.
Politieally Mr. Elsen believes in the general principles of the Democratie party, although he is not a radical partisan. During more than a quar- ter of a century of Mr. Elsen's life he has been identified with our form of Government and has proved himself worthy of the title of an adopted citizen. lle is counted among Laneaster's indus- trious and law-abiding citizens. When a young man he saw the value of learning a good trade, and by reason of this he has always had good em- ployment and built up for himself and his inter- esting family a good home, with all the pleasant surroundings of a happy American home.
M ARTIN R. SHEAFFER. This public- spirited citizen of Bareville is engaged in the leaf tobacco business, packing and shipping each year from three to four hundred cases. lIe is the son of Philip and Leah (Rutter) Sheaffer, and was born in Earl Township, July 25. 1843.
Martin Sheaffer, the great-grandfather of our subjeet, came from Germany many years ago and located in Groffsville, where he owned a section of
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land and where he was engaged in farming and distilling. Ile became the father of three sons by his union with a Miss Groff. The grandfather, who also bore the given name of Martin, was born in Earl Township in 1770, and died in 1821. He likewise followed the distilling business, and was the possessor of a large estate, comprising about four hundred acres. Ile married a Miss Miller and to them were born seven sons and five daugli- ters, Jacob, Philip, John, Isaae, Martin, Adam and Samuel, and Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, Judy and Charlotte.
Philip Sheaffer, who was the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in 1803. Hle pro- eured his education in the rude log schoolhonse near his home, and when ready to begin in life for himself, purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the home farm, which he cultivated until his decease, in 1864. In addition to tilling the soil he also was engaged in the distilling business for a number of years, and became quite well-to-do in a financial way. In polities he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and in religious affairs be- longed to the Mennonite Church.
The parents of our subject were married in 1827. The mother was the daughter of Henry Rutter, a substantial farmer of Lower Leacock Township. Mrs. Sheaffer, although advanced in years, is still in the enjoyment of good health, and makes her home with our subject, who is her only child.
Martin R. Sheaffer is well educated, and remained at home cultivating the farm until 1886, when he sold it and purchased twenty-five aeres in Bare- ville, which he now devotes to tobacco raising, packing and shipping large quantities each year. Hle is accounted one of the representative citizens of the place, and is a Director and stockholder in the New Holland Bank. In politics he is an ar- dent admirer of Republican principles, which party he believes to be in the right.
Mr. Sheaffer was married November 17, 1864, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Levi Graybill, and to them were born seven children. Martin is engaged in the practice of law in Lancaster; Cora is the wife of John Eshleman, a cigar manufacturer of Eph- rata; Clayton is clerk in the Ephrata Bank. The wife and mother departed this life May 25, 1886,
and June 18, 1888, our subject married Miss Lottie, daughter of Samuel Myers, who is engaged in bus- iness in this village. Their children are Leah, born in 1889, and Rebecca, whose birth occurred in 1893. Mrs. Sheaffer is a member of the Dun- kard Church and a most excellent lady, greatly respected in her community.
I OHN LEIBLEY is in partnership with his son Ilarry B. as a member of the firm of John Leibley & Son, and for nearly forty years has carried on a market and butcher shop in Lancaster. The site is one of the best in the city, a handsome brick building 32x75 feet in dimen- sions and three stories in height, this having been reconstructed by the owner. He also has money invested in several pieces of land in Lancaster and owns the old homestead.
January 7, 1834, occurred the birth of onr sub- jeet in Lancaster only two houses distant from his present residence. Ilis parents were Jacob and Charlotte (Miller) Leibley. The father died in 1856, when sixty-nine years of age, and his wife was called to her final rest in 1890, when eighty years of age. The father was one of five sons and five daughters, and he in turn had ten children, namely: Jacob, Ann, Charlotte, John, Elizabeth, Susan, Andrew, Christiana, George and Henry.
John Leibley received very meagre educational advantages, attending school probably only one year altogether, and worked for his father from the age of eight years in the slaughter honse. Two years later he bought stock throughout the coun- try, and upon his father's death succeeded to his business. In 1856 he opened his present market and from that time on has worked hard to build up the fine trade which he is now enjoys. In his politieal belief he is a Republican and has served as a member of the Common Council for four terms.
October 31, 1857, a marriage ceremony was performed by which Miss Amelia Wettig became
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the wife of John Leibley. Her father was God- frey Wettig, formerly of this city. By this union two children, a son and a daughter, were born, the elder of whom, Anna, married David Winters, now deceased, and the younger, Ilarry B., is engaged in business with his father. He is a natural ma- chinist and possesses great inventive ability. At the present time he owns a number of pleasure boats and is devoting his attention to building more.
A MOS N. ROHRER is one of the successful and well-to-do farmers of Strasburg Town- ship, having been for seventeen years en- gaged in market gardening on his present farm. From his sturdy ancestors he has inherited very industrious and thrifty qualities, and the family to which he belongs has long been accounted among the founders in the prosperity of Lancaster County.
Jacob Rohrer. the paternal grandfather of our subject, devoted his life to the calling of a farmer. lle and his wife, Elizabeth, had four children: Henry, Christian, Jacob and Catharine. Ilis third son, Jacob, our subject's father, was born in West Lampeter Township about 1807, and from his boyhood manifested a decided inclination for ob- taining his livelihood as a farmer. He owned a good property comprising one hundred and forty acres in Strasburg Township, which he developed and improved. He always kept a good grade of live-stock and succeeded in providing well for his family and in putting aside a competence for old age. Politically, he was identified with the Whig party and later with the Republican organization. Religionsly, he affiliated with the Old Mennonite Church. For his companion and helpmate on the voyage of life he married Miss Mary Neff. To this worthy couple were born three sons and two daughters, namely: Israel; Elizabeth, deceased; Harry; Susan; and Amos N.
The youngest child in his father's family, Amos N. Rohrer was born January 4, 1852, on the old
homestead in Strasburg Township. Ilis early years passed without momentous event in the usual rou- tine of farm life. Ilis father trained him in a practical manner and gave him a good education. lle attended the district schools in the neighbor- hood of his home, and on attaining his majority taught school for one winter in his home district. Later he attended for one session the Millersville Normal School but since that time has given all of his attention to farmiug. His especial department of work has been as a truck and market gardener and for seventeen years he has been very success- ful in this work.
March 17, 1881, Mr. Rohrer was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Hull, who was born in Strasburg Township and who is of great assistance in every way to her husband. To this worthy couple have been born a son and daughter, Adam and Blanche. The Rohrer family have a pleasant and substantial home and are surrounded with the necessities and comforts of life.
In his political convictions, Mr. Rohrer is a strong Republican but has never desired to hold official position, as he prefers instead to give his time and energies solely to his family and business affairs. Among his neighbors he is held in respeet and he bears a high reputation for his worthy characteristics.
1 ACOB R. WITMER, who, in company with B. F. Conner, is engaged in the manufacture of steam engines, is one of the most enter- prising business men in Columbia. He is the son of John and Susan (Ripley) Witmer, and was born October 15, 1829, in Manor Township, Lancaster County. The family is of Swiss origin, the first representatives in America having been three brothers, who emigrated to this country prior to the Revolution. The paternal grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in the War of 1812, during which conflict he participated in the battle of Baltimore. Hle was a true Christian, and aided
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FRANKLIN HOUSE, LANCASTER.
PETER AMMON, PROPRIETOR.
Wirf
RESIDENCE AND FRUIT FARM OF AMOS N. ROHRER, STRASBURG, LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
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greatly in the support of church work in his com- munity.
The father of our subjeet was a native of Manor Township, this county, and was a carpenter and bridge builder by occupation. Although not in active service, he was greatly interested in the militia, and was familiarly known as Col. John Witmer. The father was a devoted member of the United Brethren Church, and was active in all good works. By his union with Miss Ripley, there were born nine children, namely: Jacob, John, Zachariah, Daniel, Christiana, Susan, Adaline, Iliram and Franklin. John Witmer was prominent in polities, and in 1847 served as Commissioner of Lancaster County. He departed this life Decem- ber 3, 1857, at the age of fifty-five years. His good wife survived him until March, 1883, when she too passed away, when in her seventy-fourth year.
The original of this sketeh received a good edu- eation in the distriet school near his home in Manor Township. lle remained with his parents until attaining his majority, when he went to Safe Harbor and began learning the business of a pat- tern-maker in the shops of the Safe Harbor Iron Company. Ile was in the employ of that firm for eleven years, when he left and followed the car- penter's trade for a period of two years, and in 1863 we find him residing in Columbia. Here he found work in the shops of Supple & Bro., engine builders, and when the works were moved to Fourth and Manor Streets, he still remained in their employ. It was then changed to the Supple Steam Engine Company, and in 1878 Mr. Witmer was chosen manager of the shops, which responsi- ble position he held until 1892. That year he formed a partnership with B. F. Conner, and pur- chased the stock of the company, of which he was elected Secretary and Treasurer. They are con- ducting a splendid business, and our subject is well qualified after so many years' experience in that line of work, to transact affairs in a most sat- isfactory and profitable manner.
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