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 68
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In his political relations our subject is a stanch Republican, and aside from serving as School Di- reetor in Manor Township, and Councilman and President of the Council of Columbia, has never
held publie office, his private affairs demanding his entire time and attention. Ile is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for the past twenty years, and at the present time is Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Jacob R. Witmer was united in marriage in April, 1852, with Miss Susan, daughter of Adam Miller. a farmer of Manor Township, where he is also carrying on an extensive business as the owner of a flouring mill. To Mr. and Mrs. Witmer has been born a family of five children, namely: Amanda, the wife of Lewis M. Filbert, engaged in business in Philadelphia; Henry Clay, who died when a lad of eight years; Susan, the wife of Isaac L. Auweter, a merchant of Columbia; Adaline, also deceased, and John A., a mechanical engineer and a graduate of the Philadelphia Polytechnic College, who also makes his home in this city.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Ripley, came from his native land. England, to America when eight years of age, making his home first in Virginia and later in Manor Township, this county, where he carried on farm pursuits during his last years, and also preached in the Evangelical Church. He reared a family of children bearing the respective names of Susan, John, Elizabeth, Catherine and Christiana. The grandfather lived to be quite aged, passing his last years in Lancas- ter County.
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RISTUS A. IIIPPLE, a prosperous grocer of Marietta, is of remote German descent, but the family has been long established in Pennsylvania. His grandfather was a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, and by his mar- riage reared four children: John, Jacob, Polly and Mrs. Obetz, all deceased but Polly. The first- named son, John, was born in Cumberland Coun- ty, October 7, 1811, and obtaining a good eduea- tion in youth, was for twenty years engaged as a school teacher. In connection with that profession he followed the trade of a stone mason, but in
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1870 retired from the former, and afterward gave his attention wholly to the latter. In politics a Republican, he was always deeply interested in the success of his party.
Though advanced in years at the opening of the Rebellion, John Whipple entered service as a mem- ber of the One Ilundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, in which he remained for nine months. At the expiration of his term of service he enlisted for one year. During his Jater years he was a resident of Newtown, Rapho Township, Lancaster County, and there his death occurred December 28. 1892, at eighty-one years of age. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Anna MeC'auley, passed away in 1883. Their children were Rufus Il., Oristus A., Arthalinda N., James M., Isabella, Emanuel E., Tobias II. A., John U. S., deceased; Thomas P., Albert, Rosa, Ann, and one that died in infancy.
In Warwick Township, Lancaster County, the subject of this biography was born, November 2, 1840. Ile was in boyhood a student in the com- mon schools, after which he turned his attention to the trade of a brick-layer, learning it in New- town. After his marriage, in 1872, he came to Marietta, and followed this occupation, together with that of furnace repairing, until 1892, when he opened a grocery store. lle now gives his en- tire attention to this business, having abandoned his trade. Politically he is a Republican, devoted to party tenents. Ile belongs to Donegal Lodge No. 129, I. O. O. F., and Marietta Encampment No. 76. being Treasurer of both. Hle is also a member of Marietta Castle No. 120, Knights of the Mystic Chain, serving as its Treasurer, and is iden- tified with Marietta Castle No. 102, Knights of the Golden Eagle. Ile fills the same office in the Im- proved Order of Red Men. In fact, he is Treas- urer of every organization with which he is iden- tified, except the Grand Army Post and Knights of the Golden Eagle.
During the late war Mr. Ilipple served in Com- pany A, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsyl- vania Infantry, Twenty-fourth Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was present at the charge of Ft. Gregg, and took part in a number of minor en- gagements, being engaged chiefly on detail duty.
Ile witnessed the surrender at Appomattox, and served ten months, or until the close of the Rebel- lion. Ile is Collector and Treasurer of the local Board of the National Home Building & Loan Asso- ciation of Bloomington, Ill.
September 24, 1864, Mr. Hipple was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Gallagher, an estimable lady, who is highly regarded by a large circle of personal friends. The family circle at one time consisted of six children, but Lillie Dale and Car- rie May are deceased, and the eldest son, U. S. Grant, has established a home of his own. Nora, Jennie A. and John Alfred still remain with their parents.
A C. ILYUS is Prothonotary of Lancaster County and for twenty-five years has been Justice of the Peace in Neffsville. In all enterprises and leading industries he has been very much interested, and as far as he was able has sup- ported them by his influence and practical assist- ance. The birth of the 'Squire occurred in West Hempfield Township, January 17, 1857, and he comes from one of the old and respected families of Manor Township, where his father, Abraham, was born. The latter was a shoemaker by trade, and his death occurred when he was in the prime of life, February 21, 1856. His wife, Mary, was a daugh- ter of Jacob Clair, and both were born in Rapho Township. Ile was a farmer and also a weaver, following those occupations until his demise. Mrs. Mary Ilyus, who survived her husband for many years, was called to her final rest in 1889, when in her seventy-seventh year. In a family of seven children who grew to maturity, five are living, and of these the 'Squire is next to the eldest and the only son.
Until twenty-two years of age our subject was reared in West Hempfield Township on a farm, and was a student in the neighborhood schools. After taking a course of study in the Mt. Joy Academy, during the fall of 1853 he began teaching in Penn
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Township, and for twelve terms successfully con- dueted schools. The last six terms he was stationed in two sehools in Manheim Township; four were in the village of Neffsville, where he located perma- nently in 1859. In 1866 he abandoned teaching, be- coming a clerk in the Recorder's otlice in this city, and the following year was transcribing clerk in Harrisburg. In 1863 he had been made Assessor, which office he has held for upwards of twenty-five years. In 1869 he was elected Justice of the Peace, discharging its duties up to January, 1894. Each time he was re-elected on the Republican ticket, and was the only one to fill the office in Neffsville. Hav- ing been elected Assessor of Manheim in 1872, he has continuously held that position up to the pres- ent time. April 15, 1893, he was nominated on the Republican ticket as Prothonotary and was elected that fall, taking his office at the beginning of the following year to serve for a term of three years. He is still Assessor of Manheim. but has re- signed his position as Justice of the Peace. For about seventeen years he was Collector of the School Tax in this township, and is also a convey- ancer.
In West Hempfield, 'Squire Ilyus was married in September, 1857, to Vietoria Musselman, a native of Cumberland County, and daughter of Henry Musselman, who taught school in Mt. Joy and other places. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment. When in the battle of Petersburg his tongue was shot off by a minie ball; he was made a captive, his death occurring in a rebel hospital. At the time that he volunteered his services he was over the regula- tion age and was a faithful and valiant defender of the flag to the last. Mr. and Mrs. Hyus have three children living, Harry M., who attended the Millers- ville Normal and is now running a shoe store on North Queen Street; Edgar B., also formerly a stu- dent in the Normal and now a practicing physician at No. 13 East Walnut Street, and A. Charles, a graduate of the high school, and now a clerk in his father's office, where two other deputies are em- ployed. Mrs. Ilyns is a member of the Lutheran Church and is a most estimable lady.
For a quarter of a century, "Squire Hyus has been clerk of sales. He is particularly busy during the
winter, managing about one hundred and twenty sales a year, besides which he has administered a number of estates. From 1885 to 1888 he was Jury Commissioner of the county, being elected on the Republican ticket. When nominated in the spring of 1893 he was the successful one of four eandi- dates, receiving a majority of one hundred and sixty-eight votes. He is a stockholder in the Peo- ple's Trust, Savings and Deposit Company, being one of the organizers, and is a Director in the Peo- ple's National Bank of Lancaster. Since the organ- ization of the Neffsville Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1878, he has been Secretary. Nearly 81,700,000 of insurance have been placed in the township, and only thirty cents on $1,000 a year has been paid out in losses. The Manheim and Penn Turnpike Company, which was organized in 1881 and built on contract, is a great convenience to the township, and the 'Squire was very active in carrying the measure successfully forward. lis pleasant home is situated only four and a-half miles distant from Lancaster, and both here and in the city, as well as wherever he is known, he has made many warm friends.
S AMUEL W. POTTS, a representative of one of the oldest families in Lancaster County, together with other members of the Potts family, will be mentioned in this connec- tion. Our subject's grandfather, Joseph Potts, was born in Lancaster County, and spent his life on a farm. lle was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, David Potts, was the proprietor of Potts' Landing Hotel, and was born in Strasburg. Ile farmed in Strasburg Township, and afterward bought a thirty- aere tract of land in Lancaster Township, adjoin- ing the city, and followed hotel life and farming for a livelihood; he was also a stock-dealer. The boat landing was established and known as Potts' Landing on account of this family name. Our subject's father died in 1867, aged fifty years.
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Politically he had ever been identified with the Democratic party. The mother of Samuel W .. whose maiden name was Catherine Warren, was a native of Strasburg, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Warren, of Scotch-Irish extraction. They moved to Maryland. where the father died.
Mr. and Mrs. David Potts were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, our sub- jeet being the eldest. He was born on the farm in Strasburg Township. October 5, 1841, and was reared at Potts' Landing, obtaining his edu- cation in the public schools and at Millersville State Normal. At the opening of the Civil War, he volunteered as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Pennsylvania Regi- ment, in which he was a Corporal. lle served nine months in the Army of the Potomac, and took part in many fierce battles, including the sec- ond battle of Bull Run, Malvern Hill, Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville. Hle received an honor- able discharge at the close of that great conflict, af- ter which he engaged with his father and succeeded him in the hotel business, and continued that and farm life for twenty-five years, or until Novem- ber. 1893, when he retired from business. He built a fine brick residence on the Philadelphia Pike, near the hotel, and now rents both his hotel and farm.
We clip the following from the Examiner: "It is but simple justice to say that the man who more than all other men combined in this commu- nity has led us up to this desirable state of affairs is Mr. Samuel Potts, owner of Potts' Landing and Potts' Grove. Mr. Potts. it is unnecessary for us to say, belongs to one of the oldest and best known families of Lancaster County, his ancestors having been prominent in milling, farming, hotel and other business enterprises for generations. The owner of Potts' Landing inherited the progressive spirit of his ancestors. Taking possession of the old and always respectable hotel, which had been kept for many years by his father, he planted a grove along the Conestoga. As the years rolled by and the infant trees developed into a large and stately grove, it became one of the most de- lightful wooded traets in the county of Laneas- ter, or even in the state. Then came the plaeing
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of boats along the stream, the erection of boat houses, and Potts' Landing was born. It leaped instantly into popularity. If the records of the old East King Street Railway Company, with its horse cars, could be consulted, it would perhaps be found that there has never been under the electric railway system such carrying of people to the banks of the Conestoga, at Witmer's bridge, as then. Men, women and children hung to the cars like flies. It was a sight to see the cars in those early days. Then came the electric cars. Then came the parks. Then came the band con- certs. But to-day the best people of Lancaster who want a quiet rest in a secluded spot go to Potts.' Ilis boats are of the best. No one ever heard of a serious accident with one of them. No immoral persons are permitted on the grounds or premises. To-day our wives and daughters may go there unattended, and may be as safe from insult or annoyance as though they were in the seclusion of their own homes. In conclusion, therefore, we wish to make this simple declara- tion, in all fairness to Mr. Potts, that he was the originator of the healthful and inspiring out-door amusements of which we are now so proud. And to-day, so far as concerns the patronage of our best people, it may be truthfully said that Mr. Samuel Potts 'holds both bowers and the ace.'"
Mr. Potts was united in marriage, December 25, 1867, with Miss Martha S. Sides, of West Lampeter Township. ller parents were Abraham B. and Eliza (Fritz) Sides. Her grandfather, John Sides, was the only child of Col. Peter Sides, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War and a hosom friend of General Washington, who often visited him at his home. Ile was a great fox hunter and horseback rider, and his ancestors were of Scotch-Irish descent. Col. Peter Sides, an uncle of onr subject's wife. was an officer in the Civil War. Another unele, Dr. B. F. Sides, was a sur- geon in the army in the late war. ller father was a merchant, and later had the honor of being one of the first engineers to run a locomotive on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Afterward he located in West Lampeter, where he died August 25, 1889. Ile was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was identified with the
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Democratic party. Mrs. Potts' mother was known in maidenhood as Elizabeth Fritz, and was the daughter of Jacob Fritz and wife, who are of Ger- man descent.
Mr. and Mrs. Sides were the parents of five chil- dren, four of whom are now living: Clementine, Mrs. Meck; Martha S., now Mrs. Potts; Libbie, deceased; Dr. B. F., practicing in Lampeter; and Sallie Maude, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Potts. The two latter are acceptable members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Potts is a Democrat.
D ANIEL G. ENGLE. This representative citizen of Marietta is the proprietor of the Engletree Stoek Farm, which is well known to breeders and lovers of horses. He is also a member of the firm of Engle & Bro., nurserymen. As a horseman the reputation of Mr. Engle has extended over a large territory, and those who have made his acquaintance during the past few years know him best for this and his fine social qualities.
Before entering upon the life of Mr. Engle it will not be amiss to note a few faets regarding his ancestry. Ulrich Engle, the first of the family to locate in the United States, came from Switzer- land in 1753. His son Jaeob, our subject's great- grandfather, was the founder of the River Breth- ren Church. Grandfather John Engle was born in Conoy Township, this county, and during his entire life gave his attention to farm pursuits. He was active in the work of the Dunkard Church, to which he belonged, and was well respected in the community.
The father of our subject, Daniel Engle, was born in 1812 in Conoy Township, where he re- eeived such an education as could be obtained in that early day. Like his father before him, he was a prominent church member, belonging to the River Brethren Church of the Dunkards, in which he was chief among those who aided in the organ-
ization of the Mutual Insurance Company, of which he became Secretary. He was not only one of the first, but one of the most extensive tobacco grow- ers of his day in Lancaster County. Ile also car- ried on a large business as nurseryman, owning the Marietta nurseries, which he established in 1853 on the old homestead, and in 1867 the enterprise was assumed by his sons, John G. and Hiram, un- der the firm style of Engle & Bro. After the death of Iliram Engle, in 1874, Daniel G. Engle entered the business under the original firm name.
Daniel Engle was married to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Christian Graybill, who at that time was one of the well-to-do farmers of East Donegal Township. Their son, our subject, was born in that township, July 1. 1853. He received his education in the com- mon schools and the State Normal School, Millers- ville, Pa., and is also a graduate of the Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Philadelphia. For two terms he taught the Donegal school in East Donegal Township. Like all his family on both the paternal and maternal sides, he is a stout Re- publican. Of late years he has taken an active part in polities and is at present serving his second term in the Borough Council of Marietta, being Chairman of the Finance Committee of that body. When ready to start out in life on his own ac- count he was married, September 21, 1880, to Miss Minnie, daughter of George W. Stahl (deceased), a lumber merchant of Marietta and one of its rep- resentative citizens. Their family included four children, bearing the following names: Rheta, Dan- iel (deceased), Franklin S. and Minnie S.
In 1885 Mr. Engle, who was already the owner of some fine animals, purchased the celebrated horse "Storm King" in Kentucky, which was at that time three years of age. This animal is by the same sire as the famous trotting queen, "Nancy Hanks." Soon after the purchase of this animal Mr. Engle established what is now widely known as the Engletree Stoek Farm and erected thereon many large and substantial stables. "Storm King's" record is 2:252 and he bas also become celebrated as the sire of "Paragon," trotting when five years of age at 2:13}; "Stormer," a three-year-old, whose record is 2:264, besides many other animals that bid fair to become noted on the turf. "Paragon," like
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the other animals, was trained on the Engletree Stock Farm, and during the racing season at Washington Park, Chicago, in 1892, when in a field of fourteen horses, won three consecutive heats in 2:144, 2:13} and 2:133, which beat the worid's record for the fastest three consecutive heats by a gelding. "Storm King," the sire of "Paragon," has been exhibited at over twenty- five state and county fairs, and at each has taken the first premium. The training track at Engle- tree Farm is made of soil well adapted for train- ing purposes, is one of the finest in the country and attracts wide-spread attention. Mr. Engle gives his attention to the carrying on of his farm, which occupies considerable of his time and calls forth his taet and business foresight. In his train- ing stables are young "Storm Kings" and well-bred colts by other sires, receiving their first education. Mr. Engle trains largely for other parties, as this is a prominent feature of his business.
Daniel Engle was a man of liberal and progress- ive opinions and was remarkably well informed on the topics of his day and ancient history. Ile was a Republican; though not taking an active part in politics, he voted at all important elections. Ile departed this life August 17, 1888. His good wife still survives him.
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·H ON. GEORGE II. RANCK, of New Hol- land, Earl Township, was elected to the Legislature in 1889 and has always been a zealous Republican since casting his first vote for Lincoln in 1864. Mr. Ranck, as a teacher, editor and general business man, has manifested great public spirit and has taken a large share in every- thing tending to advance the interest and welfare of his community, and New Holland owes much to him as one of the most enterprising and pro- gressive citizens. In 1869 he purchased a small
job printing office in New Ilolland and continued in that line until 1873, since which time he has conducted the New Holland Clarion, which is re- garded as among the best local newspapers in the state. While a member of the Legislature Mr. Ranek was on the Committees of Education, Agri- culture, Military and Banking, and his opinions on these and other topics of interest were clear eut and well judged.
A son of Daniel and Anna (Ilildebrand) Ranck, George II. was born in Mifflinburg, Union County, Pa., February 2, 1843, but is practically one of the sons of Lancaster County, as this was the place of his parents' birth, and when he was a year old they returned to make this their permanent home. The Ranek family is of German origin and the ances- tors of our subject were among the pioneers of the eastern part of this state. Some of the family came to this county as early as 1726, buying land in East Cocalico Township, where they engaged in farming. Other branches of the family located in Lebanon and Berks Counties. John Philip. the great-grandfather of G. Il., was a native of this county and an extensive farmer of East Cocalico Township. Ile married a Miss Ilaas, a descendant of another German pioneer, and they had four sons, James, Philip, David and Isaac, and their daughters were. Nancy, Mrs. James De Haven; Mary, Mrs. George Miller; Barbara, Mrs. Ream, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Bender. David went to Ohio, where he became a farmer; James was engaged in a similar pursuit in Chester County. Pa., and Isaac was the grandfather of our subject. The father of these children died in the year 1830, aged about seventy years. Isaac Ranck was born about 1794 and was also a farmer and a member of the Lutheran Church. He married Margaret Swope, of pioneer German family also, and by hier had three sons: John, who was a tailor in Paris, Ky., where he died in 1882; Daniel, a potter, of this place, who died in 1894, and Isaac, who is now engaged in gold mining in northern California.
Daniel, our subject's father, was born in East Cocalico Township March 14, 1819, received a dis- triet school education, and in 1842, soon after his marriage, went to Mifflinburg, where he engaged in the pottery business for two years. Later for a
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like period of time he was in Springville and in | 1846 removed to Leacock Township, where he es- tablished a pottery, which he conducted until 1891, when he retired to make his home in New Holland. For a number of years he was a Deacon in the Lu- theran Church, to which he belonged, and in poli- tics was a Democrat. In 1842 he married Anna, daughter of Michael Hildebrand, a farmer of Earl Township and also a descendant of a German pio- neer family, and of their union two children were born, George II. and Catherine E. The daughter was twice married. first to Cyrus Rutter and sub- sequently to Jacob Diffenderfer, of Lancaster. Mrs. Ranck was born October 26, 1819, and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.
George II. Ranck received fair educational priv- ileges, attending the common schools and later a private institution. At eighteen he became a teacher, which calling he followed for eight years, being a portion of the time Principal of the New Ilolland schools. In 1869 he succeeded John Black in his job printing office at this place, in which bus- iness he continued for four years. The Clarion, a weekly newspaper, was founded by him and another gentleman in 1873. Mr. Ranek took sole charge in 1878 and has been its editor for twenty-one years. It is an eight-page quarto, 16x22 inches in dimensions, which has a circulation of twelve hun- dred and is an independent paper. From an hum- ble beginning it has grown to be one of the lead- ing molders of thought in this locality. It gives regular employment to a number of people, and steam power and other improvements of the day are to be found in the office. In the job printing department the proprietor turns out good work and has the patronage of the leading business men in the eastern end of the county.
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