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 76
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Associated with A. Il. Musselman, now deceased, Mr. Iliestand in 1863 organized the Chickies Roll- ing Mill Company, but the partnership was dis- solved after three years. He was one of the orig- inal stockholders and managers of the Marietta Hollow Ware Works, but in 1883 disposed of his interest in that enterprise, the stock being worth more than double its original value. In 1889 he again entered into business, organizing the Mari- etta Casting Company. with a capital of 850,000. Ile has been President of the company since its origin. In agricultural pursuits he has always taken a great interest, and his farms adjoining Marietta are among the finest in the state, being especially adapted for the eultivation of tobacco, fifty-five to sixty-five acres being grown annually. Among the numerous business enterprises in which Mr. Hiestand has engaged we must not fail to men- tion his large operations in the purchasing and packing of leaf tobacco.
Often called upon to fill2positions of trust, Mr. Iliestand has served as executor, administrator, assignee, guardian and trustee of large estates. Ile was one of the originaters of the Hanover June-
tion Railroad, which extended from Chickies to the Reading & Columbia Railroad, and since then has been a Director in the Columbia & Reading Road.
In 1858 he married Miss Martha Schock, and one daughter and seven sons were born of the umon. The three sons above mentioned are the only survivors. Annie, Eugene and Walter died in childhood; Horace A. when he was just enter- ing into manhood, and John Andrew, an attorney- at-law, in 1894. at the age of thirty-one. The latter was especially able and intelligent, and by his untimely death a life of great promise was suddenly terminated. B. Frank, Mr. Hiestand's eldest son, was married in 1887 to Miss Mary Me- haffey, eldest danghter of George W. Mehaffey; she died in 1790.
Mr. Iliestand is recognized as one of the best business men of the county, and is known as a re- markably shrewd financier. He is conservative, vet enterprising. By all who know him he is looked up to, not only as a sound business man, but also as a Christian gentleman and a citizen of the highest standing. He admires industry and frugality, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those who help themselves. Ilis leading characteristics are perseverance, good judgment and remarkable business ability, frugality on the practical side, coupled with a warm heart and sym- pathetic disposition on the other.
C.
M ARTIN L. HERR, A. M., M. D. There is probably no citizen of Lancaster whose name is connected with more progressive enterprises or whose efforts have more largely pro- moted the material progress of the place, than the gentleman who forms the subject of this sketeh. For many years he has conducted the most exten- sive practice of any physician of the eity, and is also identified with various leading measures and business enterprises. He is now serving as Vice-
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President and Director of the Lancaster Land and Improvement Company, President of the Laneas- ter and Columbia Electric Railway Company, Pres- ident of the Lancaster Safety Buggy Company, Vice-President of the Lancaster Traction Company and Director in the Conestoga National Bank and the Hubley Manufacturing Company.
For many generations the Ilerr family has re- sided in Lancaster County, where settlement was first made by John (or Hans) Ilerr, a native of Switzerland, who in 1709 located in what is now Lampeter Township, near Willow Street. Ilis set- tlement antedated the purchase of the land from William Penn. Prosperity attended his labors in the New World. Ile became a farmer and large land owner, and died well-to-do in this workl's goods. In religious faith he was a Mennonite. Through him we trace the family genealogy to Manuel, his son; Rev. John, a minister in the Mennonite Church; David, an agriculturist by oc- cupation; Adam, who owned and operated a mill at Strasburg, on Pequea Creek, and there died; Christian B., a native of Strasburg; and Dr. Herr, of this sketch.
Our subject's father followed the combined oc- cupations of miller and farmer, carrying on a farm in Lampeter Township. where he died at the age of thirty-eight years. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Maria Light, was born near Lancaster, and was a daughter of Martin Light, a farmer, speenlator, large land owner and prominent Whig politieian, who died at the age of tifty-three years. Mrs. Maria Herr now makes her home with her eldest son, Dr. Herr. Iler other son, Adam F., be- came a dentist, and died in Lancaster, aged thirty- eight years. There are two daughters living: Mrs. Annie E. Yokum, of Columbia, Pa .; and Mrs. Fan- nie Keefer, of Columbia.
Strasburg, Lancaster County, is Dr. Ilerr's birth- place, and September 13, 1838, his natal day. Ilis education was gained in the Lancaster public schools, and at the age of nineteen he commenced to teach school, spending the winter months in that occupation, while during the summer he was a stu- dent in the State Normal at Millersville. Ile con- tinued in that way for three years. Under the preceptorslup of Dr. Cassidy, of Lancaster, he com-
meneed the study of medicine, and later attended Jefferson Medical College one and one-half terms. In 1862 he was appointed medical cadet in the United States army, and four years later was grad- uated from the University of Nashville with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. As a medical cadet he was employed in the general hospital at Nash- ville, where he practiced medicine and surgery. Ile also received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon in 1865, which position he held until 1867. Then resigning he returned to Lancaster, opened an office, and has since engaged in the practice of his profession. As a surgeon, he has gained more than local prominence, and has per- formed many delicate and intricate operations with skill and success.
The lady who in 1870 became the wife of Dr. Ilerr bore the maiden name of Rosina E. Hubley, and was born in Philadelphia, a daughter of John Hubley, of that city. ller grandmother, Mrs. Ro- sina llubley, was quite prominent during the late war, being President of the organization known as the Patriot Daughters. Mrs. Herr died in 1889, after having become the mother of five children. They are: Sarah M .; William Hubley, a student in the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania, being a member of the Class of '97; Rob- ert Martin, who died in 1881; John Light, an elec- trician; and Annie Elizabeth. On the 15th of March, 1894. Dr. Herr was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John C. Hager, a mer- chant of Lancaster.
The political views of Dr. Ilerr are in accord with Republican principles. Prominent in local affairs, he served as Chairman of the Council two years and as a member for several years. On the School Board he rendered efficient service in the interests of education for twelve years. Socially, he is connected with the G. H. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R. Ile secured the organization of the first Board of Health in Lancaster, and was its President. Organizing the Lancaster Pathological Medieal Society, he was its President for several terms, and has always been active in its work. He is also identified with the County, State and Amer- ican Medical Societies, as well as the International Medical Association, He was delegate to the con-
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vention of the last-named organization, which met at Berlin, Germany, in 1890, and four years later again served as delegate to the convention at Rome, Italy. Frequently he has been called upon to contribute articles to prominent medical jour- nals, and these have been widely read and copied.
An Episcopalian in religious belief, Dr. Herr has for some time been a Vestryman in the St. James' Church. As before stated, he is connected with various corporations, and is foremost in progressive measures. Ile is a lecturer on anatomy and hy- giene in Franklin and Marshall College, surgeon of the Lancaster General Hospital and consulting surgeon of St. Joseph's Hospital. Ile laid out the East End Addition to the city, a tract of seventeen acres extending from King Street to below Chester. His residence and office are located at Nos. 226- 228 North Duke Street. The success which has come to hiim is not the result of fortuitous circum- stances, but of energy, determination, force of character and decision of purpose. Ilis versatile talents place him among the leading citizens of the city and state, and have also gained for him an extensive acquaintance.
OL. JAMES DUFFY, Aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Pattison, is one of the most prominent citizens of Marietta. He comes of good old Celtic ancestry, and his paternal grandfather was a member of the famous Light Horse Cavalry of Ireland previous to his emigra -- tion to the United States in 1800. The father of the latter, John Duffy, was born in Cunningham. County Donegal, and was a leather dresser by trade. By his marriage with Ann Bradley, he had one son, James, whose birth occurred in the same locality as did his father's. James Duffy was a man of large acquirements and business ability, and after set- tling in Lancaster County, constructed the Mari- etta & Lancaster Turnpike and that from Elizabeth- town to the Susquehanna River, as well as the
road from Carlisle to Baltimore by way of York Springs and Gettysburg. Ile married Catherine Sheridan, a native of County Donegal. by whom he had twelve children. He was a Democrat, and in religious belief a Roman Catholic. He died in 1836, aged sixty-five years, while his wife's death oc- curred in 1820. lle was one of the projectors of the borough of Marietta and did much to forward the prosperity of the county.
Our subject's father, Col. James Duffy, was born in this place September 16, 1818, and in his boy- hood engaged in rafting on the Susquehanna, fi- nally rising to the rank of pilot. Ile continued thus employed until 1846, and the following year made a trip to Europe. In 1848 he established a line of boats for transporting coal from Pottsville to New York, in the interest of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. In connection with James Mehaffy he began dealing in land at Marietta, and later embarking in the lumber business, continued in the same until 1865. In 1861 he began transport- ing supplies for the Government to forts in New Mexico, Salt Lake City and the west. The magni- tude of these contracts can be estimated from the fact that millions of dollars were employed, and over thirty thousand oxen were used. After seven years spent in this direction Mr. Duffy retired from active business, devoting his attention to his landed interests, and won the reputation of being the largest tobacco grower in the state. In 1877 he became interested in the Marietta Hollow Ware and Enameling Company, and controlled one-half of the stock. In 1875 he was appointed a member of the Board of Fish Commissioners for Pennsylvania. lle was one of the Directors of the Bald Eagle Val- ley Railroad, and was active in the support of many enterprises. Ile was a Democrat and in re- ligion was, like his forefathers, a Roman Catholic.
Col. James Duffy, Sr., was married September 8, 1863, to Martha, daughter of John Park, of this city, and to them were born the following children : Josephine: Catherine, deceased; James, our subject; Donald Cameron; Thomas Bayard; John Park, de- ceased; Martha Park; John Park; the second of the name, who has also passed away, and one who died in infancy.
The birth of our subject occurred at Marietta
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August 24, 1867. ITis early education was obtained in the public schools and afterward he attended Georgetown (D. C.) College, and the Pennsylvania Military College of Chester, Pa. In 1889 he left the latter institution to embark in business, and is now Treasurer of the Marietta Hollow Ware and Enam- eling Company, one of the leading industries in this county. He is a man of progressive ideas and ex- ecutive ability. Pohtically he is attiliated with the Democratic party, was a delegate to the State Con- ventions of 1891 and 1894, and in 1892 was a can- didate for Presidential Elector. In 1890 he was elected Burgess of Marietta by a majority of one hundred and ninety-eight. although the nominal Republican majority was one hundred. In the fol- lowing year and in 1892 he was honored by re- election, and February 2, 1891, was appointed Aide-de-camp on Governor Pattison's staff. The Colonel resides in a spacious mansion at Marietta, from whose quarters a magnificent view of the Sus- quehanna and the York County hills is obtained. The owner is a genial, hospitable gentleman, who has won friends in all circles.
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H S. STAUFFER. Manager of the Columbia Grey Iron Company, is also interested in various enterprises in the city and is the owner of much valuable real estate. Ile is a Direct- or and Vice-President of the National Bank of Mt. Joy, and being a man of progressive ideas, is unexcelled as a business man, and is one of the leading and wealthy citizens of Columbia.
Our subject is the son of John and Elizabeth (Ilostetter) Stauffer, and was born in 1846, in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. The family is of Swiss origin, the first representative coming to America many years ago and locating on property in this county. Grandfather Martin Stanffer lived in the northwestern portion of Lan- caster County, and owned mills in Manheim. lle enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, but was
not allowed to participate, as peace was declared while he was en route to Baltimore.
The father of our subject was born in Marietta, this county. He was a very prominent man in his community, and was one of the promoters and organizers of the Manheim National Bank, of which he served as President until his death, in 1878. Hle was interested in numerous business enterprises in the place. In politics he was an active Republican, on which ticket he was elected Justice of the Peace and School Director.
The parental family included the following- named children: Maria, the wife of S. N. Eaby, who resides in Mt. Joy; Emanuel, who died when two years of age; our subject, and John K., who is farming the old homestead near Landisville. The "husband and father died at the age of seventy-two years. Ilis good wife departed this life in 1869, in the fifty-seventh year of her age.
HI. S, Stauffer was a student in Millersville Nor- mal School at the time of enlisting in the Union Army as a member of the Reserve Corps. The company was never ordered to the front and when mustered out he located in Mt. Joy, where for seventeen years he was engaged in business alone. In 1881, however, in company with his brother-in- law, S. N. Eaby, he organized the Grey Iron Com- pany, and they carried on the business together for a short time, when Mr. Eaby withdrew. Our subject then conducted affairs under the name of the Grey Iron Casting Company until 1892, when he sold the business to other parties, and remains in the capacity of manager of the plant. They give employment to sixty men at the present time, although the capacity of the mill is one hundred and twenty-five.
Mr. Stanffer is a stalwart Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 551, F. & A. M., Chapter No. 43, Commandery No. 13, and Lodge of Perfection No. 43. As an Odd Fellow, he is an officer in Salome Lodge at Manheim, and is also connected with Mt. Joy Lodge No. 277 of the same order. Ile belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of Pythias in Lan- caster. He is very influential in politics in his community and takes an active part in the Young
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Men's Republican Club of Columbia and the Re- publican Lodge.
The marriage of Mr. Stauffer with Miss Cather- ine Becker was celebrated October 21, 1866. To them was born a son, Paris B., who is preparing himself to enter the ministry of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Stauffer died in 1883, and two years later our subject was again married. his second union resulting in the birth of five children, named respectively, Paris, Iloward B., Miriam, Elizabeth and Edith.
LEMENT SMELTZ ERISMAN, a member of the Select Council of Lancaster, is one of the leading contractors in the city. Ile is practical and progressive in his ideas, and in favor of everything that can benefit the city in its steady upward progress. lle is a native of Lan- caster, and has always been identified with its de- velopment. His birth occurred July 15, 1838, and here he received a common and high schooleduca- tion, which has fitted him for his duties in after life.
The founder of the Erisman family in America was Melchoir, who emigrated from his native coun- try, Switzerland, about 1716, and purchased a tract of land adjoining the present site of Lancaster. Ile was one of the pioneer agriculturists of this community, and was of the Mennonite faith. His son John, our subject's great-grandfather, was born and reared on his father's farm in Lancaster Town- ship, and learned the carpenter's trade. Hle bore the reputation of being able to hew a log as smoothly as though it had been planed. In mid- dle life he became a contractor and builder in the city of Lancaster, where his death occurred at the extreme old age of ninety years. Grandfather Jacob Erisman, born in this county, followed the occupation of a butcher, and his death oceurred in Lancaster. Our subject's father, Jacob, who was born in this city, followed the business of tailoring for a great many years until appointed to the po-
sition of Tipstaff in the court house, which place he still holds, though now in his seventy-ninth year. Ile is a Republican and was once one of the Street Commissioners, and at another time Market Master. In his religious convictions he still adheres to the faith of his ancestors, being a member of the Moravian Church. His wife, Elizabeth, a native of Lancaster, is a daughter of Clement Smeltz, who was born in Germany, and was one of the early settlers of this locality. Mrs. Erisman, who is in her seventy-seventh year, holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of her six children, five are living.
Clement S. Erisman, who was named in honor of his maternal grandfather, is the eldest child in his father's family, and when seventeen years of age was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. At the age of twenty he went to Harrisburg, where he remained for a time; he then returned to this city, but again going to Harrisburg, he worked at his trade, and was there married. The lady who became his wife April 28. 1861, was Miss Salome E. Cleckner, a native of that city. Our subject about a year later became a member of Company E, First Pennsylvania Militia, respon- ding to the emergency call.
In 1869 Mr. Erisman engaged in contracting and building in Lancaster, and specimens of his handi- work are to be seen in alt parts of the city and vicinity. We will mention only a few, as he is well known as having had the supervision of many of the finest structures. Ile erected the Baptist Church, St. John's Lutheran Church, the Lancaster County Bank, the beautiful residence of Miss Kate Long on the corner of Orange and Duke Streets, that of John B. Bausman, and many of the finest houses in the city. He owns and erected his resi- dence at the corner of West Chestnut and Nevin Streets, and owns much other residence property.
Mr. and Mrs. Erisman have eight living children. and two are deceased. In order of birth they are as follows: Clement Grant, Ilarry, William, Charles, Mary, Clara, Bess and Bertha. The two eldest sons are carpenters, in business with their father; Mary is the wife of Milton Zercher; and Clara is Mrs. Ilarry Rossman, both of this city.
Our subject was elected a member of the Select
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Council from the Fifth Ward in 1889, was re-elected in 1891, and again in 1893, having taken a very active part in the city legislation. When the ques- tion of a water reservoir came up he took a stand against it, and met with much opposition, but is now upheld in his position. Fraternally. he is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Artisans ' Society. In politics it is needless to say to those that know him that he is a decided Republican. He and his wife are worthy and active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and are held in the high- est esteem and respect by their hosts of friends.
R EV. JAMES HARRISON ESTERLINE has for six years been the beloved pastor of the Church of God or Union Bethel con- gregation of Lancaster. This is one of the oldest church organizations in this locality. having been started about 1831, and the church building hav- ing been put up about ten years later. The edifice is of brick, with a lecture room and rectory adjoin- ing, and its location is quite central, being at the corner of Orange and North Prince Streets. Our subject is a zealous worker in the Master's vine- yard, having devoted the best years of his en- ergy and life to the cause. Ile was born July 18, 1848, in Frederick County, Md., and his father, William Esterline, was a native of York County. The paternal grandfather, whose given name was George, was born in the Fatherland and at an early day removed to America, settling upon a farm in York County. The father of our subject was a farmer and also a cooper, meeting with good success in both lines of his work and becom- ing quite well-to-do. His wife, formerly Martha Corson, is still living, her home being in Mechan- iestown, Md., and in the same state her nativity occurred. Both she and her husband have been affiliated with the Lutheran denomination, in which
faith they brought up their family, seven of whom are still living.
Rev. Mr. Esterline was reared on his father's farm, and being the eldest of the family, his ser- vices were in demand for a number of years in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1864, then only a youth barely of regulation age, he enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Maryland Regiment, and was mustered into the service at Frederick City. His company was assigned to the Eighth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and were on guard and special duty in Virginia until the close of the war. when they were mustered out in Balti- more. in June, 1865. The education of our subject had been interrupted by the turmoil of war, and thus on his return to the north he continued the same, being a student in the State Normal School. Afterward he engaged in teaching school for a time and then decided to devote his life to the ministry.
The first theologieal studies of our subject were pursued under the tutleage of Rev. Mr. Schwartz, and in 1867 he became connected with the mission work of the United Brethren Church. In 1869 he was ordained, becoming junior pastor of the Church of God at Ft. Littletown. Afterward he was ap- pointed as regular pastor at Mechanicsburg, Cum- berland County, and next was for a year at a church near Hagerstown, Md. For a similar period of time he was pastor of the church at Marysville, Pa., and also of the church at Philadelphia. For the next six years he was located for about two years each in charge of the congregations at Read- ing, Harrisburg and Martinsburg. The next three years were spent in Columbia, the succeeding five years in Newburg, and the two years thereafter again in Harrisburg. In the fall of 1889, coming to Lancaster, he assumed charge of the church with which he is yet connected, and under his guidance the various societies of the congregation have re- ceived new life and impetus for good.
Rev. Mr. Esterline has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Steward, who was born in Landisburg, Perry County, and whose fa- ther, Thomas Steward, operated a farm in that lo- cality. During the small-pox epidemie prevalent in Reading, Mrs. Esterline acquired the dread dis-
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ease, from which her death resulted. The present wife of our subjeet, Lena D., was the daughter of a Mr. Killiam, an early settler of Lancaster and formerly engaged in business in this place. Our subject is a member of Orrtown Lodge, F. & A. M., and is identified with the Senior Order of United American Mechanics. Ile was given the honor of Speaker or President of the annual eldership, and has been a representative to the general tri- annual elderships.
S AM MATT FRIDY, of Lancaster, is the late Revenue Collector of the Ninth Reve- nue District in Pennsylvania and made a great success of the administration of affairs per- taining to that most important position. He was succeeded February 1, 1894, by Raymond E. Shear- er, and when he turned over his accounts every- thing was in the most thorough order. His sub- ordinates at the time of his leaving the position gave him a fine banquet and in every manner manifested their regret at the expiration of his term. Personally he is a man who is extremely well read, is pleasant and courteous in manner and is an enterprising and progressive business man, whose equal in some lines cannot be found.
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