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 75
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farmer who smiled, for the mortgage was paid off, the land was cleared of the sand and restored lo its former utility. Did space permit, other inci- dents might be added to show the indomitable per- severanee of Dr. Alexander. Enough, however, has been given to enable the reader to understand the remarkable perseverance, energy and determi- nation of the man who has gained world-wide fame.
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D AVID H. MILLER. The subject of the following sketch is one of the leading bus- iness men of Lancaster, where he is earry- ing on a profitable trade as plumber, gas-fitter and contractor of sewer work. Ile is very prominent in local affairs, and is at present representing the Ninth Ward in the Common Council. He is lib- eral, publie-spirited and one of those men who command the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
Born in this eity, October 5, 1859, our subject is the son of David Miller, a native of Strasburg. His paternal grandfather was a farmer in early life, but afterward engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. The father of our subject was the youngest member of his parents' family, and after moving to Lancaster learned moulding. Ile did not follow this long however, when he entered the cotton mills and worked his way from the lowest department to the position of foreman, which of- fiee he is now filling in mill No. 1.
The mother of our subjeet, Mrs. Carohne (Koutz) Miller, was born in this city and departed henee in 1889. She reared a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living at the present time. Sadie, Mrs. Hawthorn, lives in this city; our sub- ject was next in the order of birth; Charles is a resident of Denver, Colo .; Mary, Mrs. Young, is living in Lancaster; Margy is at home with her father; Samuel W. is a physician in this eity; Ella is living in Chicago; John is engaged in business with our subject, and Emma is at home.
David II. Miller was a lad of ten years when he
entered the eotton mills, working in mill No. 4 for about two years, when he was given a position in No. 2. Five years later, however, he abandoned that line of work and apprenticed himself to learn the plumber's trade. In 1879 he went to Balti- more, Md., where he remained for three months, and then returning to Lancaster started in business for himself, opening a shop at No. 340 North Queen Street. This place he rented until 1891, when he purchased the property and erected there- on new shops, his office being at No. 350 North Queen Street. IIe is a practical workman, does plumbing of all kinds, gas-fitting, iron roofing, and takes contracts for sewer work. During the busy season he gives employment to twenty-two men, and is carrying on the largest trade in his line in the city.
The original of this sketeh was married in 1884 to Miss Ida, daughter of William Harmon, a resi- dent of this city. To them has been born a daugh- ter, Mabel. In 1891 Mr. Miller was elected on the Republican ticket to the Common Couneil from the Ninth Ward, and has been re-elected each sue- ceeding year. Ile in an active business man, en- ergetie, honorable and cordial, and all who know him esteem him for his sterling worth.
GILLIAM RIDDLE, a member of the Se- leet Conneil of Lancaster, is one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of this county, as he has penetrated to every part as a representative for the well known publishing house of Blakeman Company and the American Book Company. At the present time he is in the employ of Ginn & Co., of New York, who are also publishers of school supplies. Mr. Riddle has also traveled quite extensively in many of the western states, and has a rare gift of entertainingly relating his experiences and places he has visited. An article, of which he is the author, appeared in the New Era of Laneaster, in November, 1893. It
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was entitled "A Summer-day Trip," or "Lancaster County from a Tally-ho," and received universal commendation for its interesting reminiscences and descriptive power.
Jacob Riddle, our subject's father, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and learned the cabinet- maker's trade. At the age of twenty years he came to America, settling first in Philadelphia, and sub- sequently coming to Lancaster, where he worked at his trade and as a machinist. Afterwards he settled in Fairview and engaged in the manufac- ture of threshers and corn shellers. Ile is now liv- ing retired from business cares, being in his eighty- seventh year, and resides with our subject. He is a Protestant and his family belongs to the Episco- pal Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Fredericka Killinger, was born in Germany, but was reared in this state, whither she was brought by her parents in childhood. She became the mother of five children who grew to maturity, but only two of whom are living, and she was called to her final rest in 1884.
William Riddle was a resident of Lancaster un- til attaining his eighteenth year, when he went to Paradise and Fairview. For three years he served an apprenticeship as a machinist and wood worker. Ile had made the best of his educational privileges, and securing a certificate, engaged in teaching in Strasburg Township for a year, after which he was for six years in charge of schools in Leacock and Paradise Townships. Returning then to this city. . he was given the principalship of the South Duke Street Grammar School, a position he held for three years. During the summer vacations of 1866 and 1867 he was employed by the Blakeman Com- pany in selling their school book publications, and from 1868 he gave all his attention to this employ- ment. He had under his jurisdiction sixteen coun- ties, and established agencies in all parts of this territory. In 1890 the company for which he had so long worked was merged into the American Book Concern, and as he had given such thorough satisfaction he was retained in their employ. In January, 1894. he became representative of the New York firm of Ginn & Co.
In 1874 Mr. Riddle was married in Lancaster to Arabella Zug, who was born in Lititz, being a
daughter of a farmer and hotel man, who was at one time in the Government employ at Washing- tor. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle have four living chil- dren: Mary, William, Howard and Robert, and their pleasant home, which is at No. 314 North Lime Street, was erected by our subject. The fam- ily are members of the Moravian Church of this place.
From 1869 to 1872 Mr. Riddle was a member of the School Board, and has always been greatly in- terested in educational affairs. lle is an active Republican, and from 1881 until 1892 was a nem- ber of the Select City Council, and in the latter year served as its President. For seven years he was Chairman of the Committee on Streets and Highways, and also served as a member of the spe- cial water committee, which bad in charge the erec- tion of the new water works. In the spring of 1894 he was re-elected to the Select Council from the Sixth Ward, and is still serving as such. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, belonging to Lancaster Lodge No. 43. F. & A. M .; to Lancaster Chapter No. 43. R. A. M., and to Commandery No. 13, K. T.
ILLIAM K. BENDER is one of the na- tive sons of Lancaster County, and within its limits has passed nearly his entire life. Ile is an influential citizen of Stras- burg. He is a veteran of the late war, having been a member of the One Hundred and Twen- ty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, and reeeived wounds while fighting for his country's liberties. Like all true patriots, he is interested in the cause of education, has served as School Director for three terms and at the present time is acting in that capacity for the borough of Strasburg.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Bender, was a farmer for many years in Upper Leacock Township, and his life work was that of agriculture. He was very prominent in religious affairs, and held membership with the Lutheran
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denomination. Politically he was a Whig. and was devoted to his country's best interests. By his marriage with Catherine Kinzer, he had four children: Margaret, who became the wife of Jacob Holl; Kinzer D .; Eliza, Mrs. Benjamin Owan, and William (., all of whom are deceased. The sec- ond son, Kinzer D., was born in Upper Leacock Township, September 30, 1809, and from his boy- hood followed farming in order to obtain a liveli- hood. He became very prosperous, and stood in the front ranks of the farmers of Lancaster Coun- ty in his day. At one time he acquired six farms situated in the Leacocks and Earl Townships, and he always kept a fine grade of stock. He was a stanch Whig, and in his later years adhered to the Republican party. Ile served in local offices, and among others was a School Director. Though he was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and at one time was a Trustee in that denomina- tion, during his last years he was identified with the Evangelical Church. By his union with Mary Weidler he had four children, three of whom are living: Franklin. John W .. Wilham K., and Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Burkholder. The deceased son, Johan W., is represented by his only child living, John Bender, a prominent young man residing near Hiller's Church, this county. He is quite a financier, and possessed of more than ordinary musical talent, and is prominently engaged in moral reform. The father departed this life in 1889, after a useful and honored career.
William K. Bender was born in Upper Leacock Township, October 3, 1839. llis boyhood days were passed on his father's farm, and he early learned the duties pertaining thereto. Ilis educa- tion was such as could be obtained in the schools of the township, where he was a student until about eighteen years of age. Ilis own elementary educa- tion was supplemented by several terms in the White Ilall Academy and in Millersville Normal School, and thus equipped, the young man obtained a eer- tifieate, and for two years he engaged in teaching school. On the expiration of this time, he volun- teered his services for the defense of the Union, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany B, One Hundred and Twenty-second Penn- sylvania Infantry. lle participated in a number
of engagements and battles, and was always fonnd faithful to his duties and trusts. At the battle of Chancellorsville, in which with his regiment he took part, being under the command of General Ilooker, he was wounded. and at the expiration of his term of enlistment, was mustered out of the service, May 20, 1863, having been connected with the nine-months organization.
Mr. Bender has been prosperous in his varions undertakings as a farmer and in other industries. Hle is prominently connected with the Susquehan- na Iron Company of Columbia, Pa., in which he is a Director, and the Lebanon Iron Company of Lebanon, Pa. Hle is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. and religiously holds member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served in the official capacities of Trustee and Steward. At times he has also served as Sun- day-school Superintendent, and takes his share of the church work in every department. October 21, 1865, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bender and Miss Lizzie A. Hartman, whose par- ents were among the pioneer settlers of the com- munity, and very prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have three children: Ella M., Alice S. and Christie E.
OHN Y. WEIDMAN, who is President of the Ephrata National Bank, and a retired merchant of Weidmanville, was born there November 1, 1835, and is a son of Martin and Lydia ( Yundt) Weidman, who were also na- tives of Pennsylvania. Ihis grandfather, Jacob Weidman, was also born in Lancaster County, but the great-grandfather was a native of Germany, and was born in Wurtemberg. He emigrated to America in an early day, and his descendants have made Laneaster County their home ever since. Martin Weidman was a merchant of Weid- manville, and was a well known and highly re- spected citizen of that place, and in 1830 was married to Miss Lydia Yundt. a daughter of John T. Yundt, a prominent merchant, miller and farmer
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of Lancaster County. Ile was born in 1757. and died in 1832, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Yundt was of German descent.
Martin and Lydia Weidman were the parents of six children. three sons and three daughters. Martin, the eldest, died in infancy: Simon P. was born October 24, 1833, and died April 13. 1875; John Y. is our subject; Sarah E., deceased, was the wife of Martin B. Steinmetz; Lydia A., born June 5, 1842, and died March 2, 1874, was the wife of J. B. Eshileman; and Susan E. became the wife of Rev. Stephen Sweitzer. pastor of the Reformed Church in Ephrata. Our subject spent the days of his boyhood attending the public schools of his na- tive place and assisting his father in the store. He was head clerk in that establishment for years. and being pleasant and courteous, he was popular with young and old. The credit for a large share of the enterprise which helps to make Weidman- ville the thriving and bustling place that it is. be- longs in a considerable degree to such stirring. energetic business men as John Y. Weidman.
The marriage of Mr. Weidman occurred July 8, 1869, uniting him with Miss Emma L. Fry. she was born January 14. 1841, and is the daugh- ter of Curtis Fry. a native of Lancaster County. Ile was born October 14, 1808. and departed this life November 27. 1874. Mrs. Weidman's grand- parents were pioneers of Pennsylvania, having emigrated to the United States from Germany in an early day. Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of one child, a son, Martin Ward, a merchant of Weidmanville, who was born Octo- ber 28, 1871. He was married October 5, 1893, to Miss Minora I. Bear, a daughter of John G. and Ilester (Landis) Bear.
Mrs. Sarah Steinmetz, a sister of our subject, has two surviving daughters. Alice, the wife of Wilham Bueker, and Susan, now Mrs. Dr. G. C. Kinard. Lydia Eshleman. another sister. has one surviving son. John W., of Ephrata; and Simon P. has one son, Martin L. Politically our subject is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. Ile is a loyal citizen and public spirited, ever ready to do his share in all matters of general welfare. Mr. Weidman is now living a retired life from active business, but superintends a small
farm of thirty-five acres. Socially the family is one of the best known and most influential in the county, and both Mr. and Mrs. Weidman have the regard of their many friends.
ENJAMIN R. STAUFFER, who is busily and profitably carrying on agriculture in East Lampeter Township, is one of its most worthy citizens. and is held in high estimation by all about him. He is the son of Daniel and Mary (Rohrer) Stauffer, and was born on the home farm February 26, 1827.
In 1749 Johannas Stauffer. the grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Germany, landing first in Philadelphia, whence he came direct to Laneas- ter County, where his father, John Stauffer, pur- chased six hundred acres of land from William Penn. Our subject now has in his possession the deed which was given on that occasion. The grand- father was born in Germany January 15, 1737. and on the death of his father in America, carried on the old homestead, at the same time preaching in the Mennonite Church. November 11, 1764. he married Miss Frankie Buekwater, who was born June 19. 1746. The children resulting from their union were Daniel, Christian, John and Fannie. The grandfather died December 26. 1811, and his good wife passed away February 18, 1828.
The father of our subject was born on the old homestead March 29, 1771, and choosing the life of an agriculturist, became the owner of one hun- dred and eighty acres of the home farm. Ile was well read, especially in the Seriptures, and was a devoted member of the Mennonite Church. In polities he was a stanch Democrat and active in the affairs of his party. November 1, 1803. he married Mary Rohrer, who was born on Christmas Day of 1781. and was the daughter of Isaac Rohrer. a farmer of this township. Their union resulted ' in the birth of seven sons and four daughters. Daniel, born December 6 1805 was for a time an
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agriculturist of this county, but later removed to Ohio, where he died. Mary, who was born in March, 1807, died in 1856, unmarried. John was born January 27, 1809, and departed this life in the Buckeye State in 1867. Henry was born Decem- ber 28, 1812, and died March 19, 1894. Isaac was born JJuly 1, 1814, and became a farmer of Martic Township, where he died November 18, 1885. Susan, born January 22, 1817, married Samnel Kurtz, and died September 4, 1845, in Manheim Township. Christian was born September 25, 1818, and is engaged as a cabinet-maker in Louisville, Ky. Esther, born March 28, 1820, is the wife of Joseph Herr, of West Lampeter Township, this county. Ephraim was born in May, 1821, and died in Ohio in 1859. Our subject was the next in order of birth. Elizabeth, whose birth occurred November 22, 1828, is a widow, and makes her home in Ohio. The father died on the 21st of September, 1855, and the mother on the 2d of January, 1873.
The original of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and has spent almost his entire life on the old homestead, of which he now owns ninety-three acres, For two years he was engaged in milling, but after his marriage returned to the farm, where he has since resided, and is now occu- pied in its cultivation with good results. Mr. Stauffer was one of the organizers and Directors of the Eastern Market of Lancaster. Ile is a staneh Democrat in politics and an active member of the Mennonite Church. He is a very religious man, and active in all good works in his community.
Mr. Stauffer was married December 25, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth R., daughter of Rev. Joseph Mayer, a minister in the Dunkard Church. To them were born three cluldren, of whom two died in infancy, and Daniel M., born in 1856, is engaged as a carpenter in East Petersburg Township. Mrs. Stauffer departed this life September 21, 1857, and January 6, 1859, our subject married Miss Anna S., daughter of George Kreider. Of their children, Mary, who was born December 25, 1859, married Isaac Buckwater, and is now deceased; Elizabeth, born March 3, 1863, married Levi B. Huber, and is living in Manheim Township; Anna K., born Jan- uary 1, 1867, is the wife of Amos Kreider, and
makes her home in this township; and Emma K., born April 6, 1871, married Henry II. Frank, and is living in this county.
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H ENRY CLAY YOUNG owns a one-third interest in the Columbia Flint Company, pulverizers of pure rock flint, whose works have a capacity of twenty-five tons per day and give employment to fourteen men. Mr. Young was born in this city September 14, 1852, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Lentz) Young, the former of whom was a native of Mari- etta, this county. Ile received his education in Columbia, where he learned the trade of a mer- chant tailor, following that business very success- fully until his decease, which occurred in 1854, re- sulting from cholera. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to Susquehanna Lodge of Co- lumbia.
The parental family of our subjeet included seven children, viz .: Amanda, Henrietta, Winfield Scott, John Edward, Llewellyn, George W. and Henry C., the two last twins. The father died Sep- tember 29, 1854, at the age of forty-two years. His good wife is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, and married for her second husband Henry Ilaines, who is now also deceased.
Henry C., of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Maytown, this county, and when fourteen years of age went to New Albany, Ind., where he learned to manufacture cotton and woolen goods. Ile remained in the west from 1867 to 1876, when he returned to this state, and was engaged in work in Philadelphia for three years, when we find him located in Columbia, where he served a year's apprenticeship in paint- ing and paper hanging. Returning at the expira- tion of that time to Indiana, he there engaged in business on his own account, and continued thus until his location in Fairfield, Iowa. Remaining there but a short time, Mr. Young made his way
yourstruly Minstandy
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back to St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged in the retail cigar business, and after a short time re- turned to the Quaker City, where he carried on a furniture, house furnishing and paper hanging business until 1881.
The same year Henry C. Young came to Co- lumbia and opened a fine establishment stocked with a full line of wall paper, and built up an ex- cellent business, remaining in his first location until January 1, 1894. He recently sold out his business and purchased the stock of the Columbia Flint Company, of which he was made President and Manager.
Mr. Young is a stockholder and for two years was Director in the Columbia Wagon Company, and is also interested in the Keeley Stove Works. He is the possessor of much valuable real estate in the city, owning a number of residences besides unimproved property. Ile is likewise a stock- holder in the Middle States Building and Loan Association of Hagerstown, Md., and socially be- longs to Columbia Lodge No. 286, F. & A. M .. and Corinthian Chapter No. 224, and Cyrene Com- mandery No. 34. In religious affairs he is con- nected with the Lutheran Church, to the support of which he is a regular contributor. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat and takes an act- ive interest in the success of his party.
Henry Clay Young and Miss Esther C., daugh- ter of Samuel Filbert, were united in marriage February 15, 1877. To them has been born a daughter, L. Cora.
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ENJAMIN F. HIESTAND, President of the Exchange Bank of Marietta. The history of the liestand family in Amer- ica dates back to the year 1727, when Johannes Iliestand emigrated to this country from Germany, making settlement in Manor Township, Lancaster County, and there remaining until his death in 1784. llis son Henry, who died in 1805, was the
father of four sons, John, Peter, Jacob and Henry, and two daughters, Ehzabeth and Barbara. The eldest sou, John, moved from Manor to Donegal Township, where he purchased a large tract of land. lle died in 1797, leaving five sons, Jacob, Andrew, Henry, John and Peter. He was fifty- eight years survived by his widow, Anne (Her- shey ) Iliestand, who passed from earth March 5, 1855, aged ninety-three years and six days. They were the parents of five sons, of whom the eldest, Jacob, spent his entire life upon one of the homes; he married. and at his death left a daughter, Bar- bara, wife of Nathaniel Ellmaker.
Andrew, the second son of John and Annie Hiestand, lived and died upon a farm adjoining the old homestead. He married Annie Miller, and their union was blessed by the birth of three sons and three daughters, namely: John M., a farmer of Donegal Township, who married Martha Hies- tand and had four sons and one daughter; An- drew M .. a physician, first in Mt. Joy, who moved thence to Norfork, Va., in 1879, and there died in 1887, leaving a widow and one son, Albert; Ben- jamin F., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth (Mrs. Benjamin Hostetter); Ann, who married John Summy; and Mary, wife of Ilenry Shenk.
llenry, the third son of John Iliestand, married Margaret Cochran, their union resulting in the birth of six sons. The eldest, Hon. John A. Hie- stand, is deceased, as is also Samuel C., for many years a partner of the subject of this sketch; the other four sons are Henry, Peter, Jacob and Abram. John, the fourth son, also married a Miss Cochran, sister of the wife of his brother Henry; he moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he died leaving four sons, Jacob, Andrew, Henry and Aaron, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and Julia. Peter. the fifth son, was married and moved to Indiana, where he died leaving no issue.
Upon the old homestead in East Donegal Town- ship, near Marietta, which has been in the posses- sion of the family for over one hundred years, and is now owned by the subject of this sketch, the birth of Benjamin F. Iliestand occurred July 3, 1828. He went to Marietta in 1848 before he was twenty-one years of age, and entered into the lumber business. Two years later he formed a
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partnership with the late Samuel C. Hiestand, and their business relations continued until the death of the latter in 1876, since which time it has been in the hands of our subject, a period of nearly a half-century. Of late years his three sons. B. Frank, Henry S. and George, have been taken into the firm, and the management is now in their hands, thus affording their father an opportunity to attend to the numerous other enterprises in which he is interested.
In 1863 the First National Bank of Marietta was organized, and Mr. Hiestand was one of the original subscribers to the stock. He also served as a Director and the Vice-President of the con- eern until 1874, when he disposed of his stock. At that time the bank had a surplus equal to its capi- tal. Then. associated with a number of promi- nent citizens of the community, Mr. Hiestand or- ganized the Exchange Bank of Marietta, with a capital of $50.000. which has now a surplus more than its capital. Of this institution he has been President since its incorporation, and has made a dividend of five per cent. annually.
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