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 79
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H ENRY S. MELLINGER, M. D., a success- ful physician of Creswell, is a descendant of German ancestors, of whom Ludwig Mellinger was the first to locate in this county. Grandfather John Mellinger was born in Manor Township, received a common-school education, and devoted his attention to agriculture and the distillery business. In politics a Republican, he was chosen to serve in various positions, including that of School Director of Manor Township. IIis death occurred in Creswell.
Among his sons was David, who was born in Manor Township in 1795. Under the preceptor- ship of Dr. Musser, one of the pioneer physicians of Manor Township, he conducted the study of medicine and after graduating he opened an office at Creswell, where he engaged in general practice for sixty years. He owned a tract of one hundred aeres, which he placed under excellent cultivation, and being a man of business ability, achieved more than ordinary success. Ilis right of franchise was exercised in favor of Republican principles. In religious belief he was identified with the Method- ist Episcopal Church and was one of its foremost members. After a long and useful career his eyes were closed upon the scenes of time, April 9, 1878.
Dr. David Mellinger was twice married and had by his first wife five sons. namely: John S., a farmer of Manor Township; David; Benjamin S., who died at the age of twelve years; Jacob, who was a busi- ness man of Columbia, this county, and Henry S. The last named was born in Manor Township No- vember 23, 1821, and at the age of sixteen years began the study of medicine under Dr. Washing-
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ton L. Atlee. Subsequently he attended the Penn- sylvania Medical College one session, and later for two sessions was a student in the Jefferson Medi- cal College, where he was graduated in 1845. Ile immediately opened an office at Creswell, where he succeeded his father in the management of a general practice. He still follows his profession, though perhaps less actively than in the days of his prime. lle is prominently connected with the Lancaster City and County Medical Societies and for a long time has been recognized as one of the foremost practitioners of his locality.
Dr. Mellinger has never married. His brother, John, had two children, of whom the elder, Susan, married Harry Ileise, of Columbia, but died some years ago. The only son. David II., received a good education in the common schools and Mill- ersville State Normal, which he attended until 1884. Since that time he had devoted his atten- tion to photography and mechanical work. As a photographer he has been quite successful, and in the interest of his business he traveled through Oregon and California, returning to Pennsylvania by the Northern Pacific Railroad. Politically he is a Republican. On the 25th of May, 1892, he was united in marriage with Agnes, daughter of Levi Mann, a farmer of Manor Township.
I SAAC R. BROWN. The thriving city of Eph- rata numbers among its enterprising and rep- resentative business men the subject of this sketch, who has been a resident of this place since 1884. Soon after settling here he started a cigar box manufactory, and has since conducted a large and profitable business in that line, employing at times as many as eighteen hands in his factory. A man of great industry and sound judgment, he has attained success through his own unaided ex- ertions, without the help of friends, the prestige of family or the aid of fortuitous circumstances.
a resident of Lancaster County. He was born at Mill Creek, near Bird in Hand. November 9, 1836, being a son of Peter and Anna ( Reemsnyder) Brown. llis paternal grandfather. Thomas Brown, was for many years a resident of Brownstown, Lancaster County, but his later years were spent at Erie, Pa. Ilis trade was that of a shoemaker, and although he never became wealthy, he was enabled to surround his family with the comforts of life. Ilis political affihations were with the Republican party. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters, Peter being the third in order of birth.
The last-named was born at Brownstown, Lan- caster County, and spent the greater part of his life in the place of his birth, dying there in 1890, at the age of seventy-eight years. Though he did not have even common-school advantages. yet by self-culture and diligent application he succeeded in acquiring a large fund of information, and was one of the best informed men of West Earl Town- ship. He was a thoughtful reader, and kept posted concerning current events. Especially was he tal- ented in mathematies, and his reputation in that line was so well known that he was very frequently consulted by teachers who wished his assistance in solving puzzling problems. His political connec- tions were with the Republican party. In relig- ious belief he was a Mennonite.
Three times married, the first wife of Peter Brown was the mother of our subject. She died in 1869, at the age of fifty-six years. By that union were born ten children, of whom the two youngest died in infancy. They are named Samuel, Isaac R., Mrs. Elizabeth Sherly, Elias, Mrs. Har- riet Mohler, Sarah, Mrs. Louise Wenger, Lemon, Reuben and Aaron. Our subject, who was the next to the eldest in the family circle, received a common school education in West Earl Township, and while his advantages were limited, he has by reading and observation made up for the lack of early opportunities. For some time he assisted his father in the mercantile business at Brownstown, where he continued to reside until 1884. the date of his advent into Ephrata.
The marriage of Mr. Brown in 1864 united him Throughout his entire life, Mr. Brown has been , with Miss Anna, daughter of Jacob Chupp, of
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Neffsville, Lancaster County. To them have been born eleven children, namely: Ellen, who is with her parents; Thomas, freight clerk at Lititz; Annis, wife of Frank Slick, a cigar manufacturer of Eph- rata; Mrs. Ida Donnes; Lillie, wife of Peter Risser, who is foreman in our subject's factory; Bertha; Walter; Aaron, who is employed in his father's factory; Lizzie, who died at the age of eleven years; Rosa and Mollie, who died in infancy. In political belief Mr. Brown is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the party.
EV. GEORGE G. KUNKLE, engaged in preaching the Gospel in Mechanicsburg, is the son of John and Sarah (Kresge) Kunkle, and was born at Kresgeville, Monroe County, this state, September 7. 1847. He traces his ancestry back to Germany, whence the first representative emigrated to Ameriea prior to the Revolutionary War.
George Kunkle, the great-grandfather of our sub- jeet, was a resident of Kresgeville, Monroe County, and at the time of his death was very wealthy. He had three sons, of whom George was the grandfa- ther of our subject. He was a farmer near the vil- lage of Kresgeville, and at the same time dealt ex- tensively in lumbering. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church, to which faith the family subscribed as far back as is known.
George Kunkle married Catherine Dotterer, a native of Bucks County, this state, and reared the following named children: George, Abram, Peter, Joseph, Adam, John (father of our subject), Eliza- beth, Barbara, Maria and Sally. All are deceased with the exception of John.
The father of George G. was born on the home farm on the 19th of February, 1815, and received three months' schooling in the German tongue in his district. When ready to start in life for him- self he purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres of land, and in addition to its cultivation was a
lumber merchant and operated a sawmill. He was very successful in all these enterprises and was considered a shrewd and upright business man. Ile is an active member of the Lutheran Church, which he has supported liberally since a young man. In politics he is a strong member of the Democratic party, but in no sense of the term could he be called an office seeker. In 1874, hav- ing accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to hve in the enjoyment of the comforts of life, he retired, and is now residing in Kresgeville.
The mother of our subject was the daughter of George Kresge, a farmer and lumberman of this county. To them was granted a family of five sons and five daughters, C'atherine, William, James, Jacob. George G., David, Sarah, Mary, Ellen and Emeline.
The original of this sketch was given the ad- vantages for obtaining a good education, and sup- plemented the knowledge gained in the common schools by a course at Carbon Academy, of Leigh- ton, later in the Wyoming Seminary, the Millers- ville State Normal and the Keystone Normal, of Kutztown, where he was prepared for college, and in 1869 entered Muhlenburg College, in Allen- town, from which he was graduated in 1873, with the third highest place in a class of nineteen.
Young Kunkle commenced teaching school at the age of sixteen years. following that vocation during the winters, until 1869, thus earning the money to pay his way through college. After completing his classical education, he accepted the position of Principal of the Mt. Joy Soldiers' Orphans' School, which he occupied for two years, and in September, 1875, entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, but was only permitted to remain one month on account of failing health. He returned home and taught a graded school in Seigfried. Northampton Coun- ty, and in the spring of the following year organ- ized a Normal class in Brodheadsville, Monroe County, which he taught summer and fall, and then going to Strasburg, opened a select school or collegiate institute, which he taught for two years.
In 1878 Mr. Kunkle was candidate for County Superintendent of Schools, but was defeated. Ile
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then took charge of the old Bethlehem Academy, with which he remained for one year, when he was elected Principal of the Bethlehem Iligh School, a position which he held for two years. In 1881 he founded the Fairview Academy at Brodheads- ville, which is now a flourishing school of sixty- eight students, and where have been educated a majority of the teachers in Monroe County.
Mr. Kunkle in 1885 resumed his theological studies under Rev. G. F. Spieker, D. D., of Allen- town, and was ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church, JJanuary 18, 1888, at Zion's Church, in Philadelphia. His first charge was at Weatherly, this state, where he remained for three years, and was next placed over the congregation in Easton. In April, 1893, however, he was appointed Pastor of the Lutheran Church at this place, and since his advent here the church has greatly prospered, both as regards finances and numbers.
Rev. George G. Kunkle and Miss Margaret Ann, daughter of Felix Storm, were united in marriage April 18, 1874. Mr. Storm is a farmer and Justice of the Peace of Chestnut Hill Township, Monroe County, where he is recognized as one of its most enterprising and substantial citizens. To our sub- ject and his wife there were born four sons and two daughters, of whom Ruth Eudora and Mary Blanche are deceased. The sons are named re- . spectively, Martin Luther, Ambrose Adolphus, Enoch George and Norman John. Mrs. Kunkle is also deceased, passing away ,June 19, 1893, greatly mourned by her family and friends.
ROF. JOIIN WILLIAM LANSINGER, son of Jacob and Matilda ( Arentz) Lansinger, was born January 5, 1858, in Littlestown. Adams County, Pa. ITIs great-great-grandfather, of French lineage, came from Alsace, Lorraine, to America when quite young, and settled in Phila- delphia, where he died. Ile had two sons, Nicholas and Jacob. The latter, a shoemaker by trade, mar-
ried a Miss Strunk, and lived most of his life in Philadelphia, but the year before he died he moved to Littlestown, where he died at the age of eighty- four. Ile was the father of five children, Jacob, Jolin, William, Joseph and Elizabeth. Of these, John, a native of Philadelphia, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, lived many years in York County, Pa., but finally moved to Littlestown, where he died at the age of seventy-three. He was married twice. Ilis first wife was Rebecca, daugli- ter of Henry Neff. She died in childbirth, at the age of thirty-three, and is buried in York, Pa. She was the mother of three children who attained maturity, William H., Jacob and Barbara. Jacob, our subject's father, was born in York, Pa., but moved with his father to Littlestown, and engaged in the shoe business, being a member of the firm of W. H. Lansinger & Bro., with which he was con- nected until his death. This sad event resulted from injuries received by falling from a tree in 1862, when he was only thirty years of age. lle was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and cast his vote with the Republican party. lle was well liked in his community, and was a member of the Lutheran Church. By his marriage with Matilda Arentz, daughter of Samuel, of Two Taverns, Pa., were born two sons and two daughters: Florence, now Mrs. Ezra D Melhorn, of Tlanover, Pa .; John W., our subject; Edith, now Mrs. George Wheeler, of Highspire, Pa., and Jacob H., of Littlestown, Pa. The good mother of this family departed this life in February, 1894, at the age of fifty-five.
The early education of our subject was obtained in the public schools of his native town and Han- over. After spending about six years in the Luth- eran school at Loysville, Perry County, this state, he entered the First Pennsylvania State Normal School, Millersville, Pa., in the spring of 1875, and graduated from the institution in 1879 in the elementary course, and in 1886 in the scientific course. On completing the first course in the Normal, he immediately entered upon the scien- tifie course, and at the same time became a member of the faculty, being a teacher of grammar, his- tory, algebra, arithmetic and methods of teaching. Prior to graduation in 1875, he taught four terms
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in the public schools of the state. Ile has been connected with the institution in the capacity of pupil and teacher for about twenty years. He has been bookkeeper, and has had charge of the depart- ment of bookkeeping during the last seven years. In 1889 he was elected to the responsible position of Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, which posi- tion he now holds.
August 1, 1882, Mr. Lansinger was married to Miss Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Benjamin Evans, of Lancaster. They have three children, Harold, Oram and John, and make their home in the buildings of the institution. In politics Mr. Lansinger is a Republican, as was his father before him. Ile is a member of the Masonie frater- nity, being Senior Warden in Lodge No. 43, one of the oldest lodges in the state. He is a member of Royal Arch Chapter No. 43, Goodwin Couneil No. 19, and Lancaster Commandery No. 13, K. T. For the past five years he has been a prominent member of the Council of Bethany Lutheran Church, to which he belongs with his wife. The Professor possesses many very worthy traits of character, and has endeared himself to his students and friends by his genial and pleasant manners.
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ISS ANNA M. PENNOCK. This aceom- plished and talented lady, until recently a resident of Lancaster, was engaged in conducting a kindergarden and private school at No. 131 North Duke Street. In this profession she was trained under the personal supervision of Miss Burnett, who exhibited the model kindergarten at the Centennial. Possessing a good education, su- perior qualifications intellectually and a love for the work, she is admirably fitted for the success- ful discharge of all its duties. In 1894 she re- moved to Toledo, Ohio, and on account of ill health left the profession of teaching for a time.
Miss Pennock was born in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, and was the daughter of Hadley
and Lydia ( Phillips) Pennock. The former was a well known miller, an excellent business man and highly respected citizen of Drumore, dying there in 1858. ller grandfather, Simeon Pennock, was also a native of the Keystone State and a member of the Society of Friends. Her mother and father are members of two of the leading families of Chester County, and the former, after the death of her husband, took the entire management of the estate and continued to make her home in Lancas- ter County. Now at the advanced age of eighty years (1894), she is in comparatively good health and makes her home with her daughter.
In childhood the subject of this biography at- tended the Mt. Holly publie school, also a private school in Kennet Square, after which she went to the Maplewood Institute, pursuing the regular course of study there. Later she entered upon the profession of a school teacher. For the work of instructing the young she is adapted by natural gifts and training. Becoming interested in kin- dergarten work, she decided in 1882 to take it up, and accordingly entered Miss Burnett's training school, where she completed the course April 16, 1883. She then came to Lancaster and opened a kindergarten, which at first had but eight pupils, but on the expiration of her first term had in- creased to twenty scholars. Up to that time the work had been carried on in her home at No. 125 East James Street, but realizing the necessity of enlarged quarters and increased facilities for the profession, she taught in the Episcopal school building, which she occupied for two years. Suc- cess marked her efforts from the beginning and she finally gave employment to two assistants and had in her school from fifty to sixty-five pupils.
February 26, 1887, Miss Pennock was recom- mended as a kindergarten training teacher by Miss Elizabeth Peabody, of Boston. The course was made practical by observation and practice in kinder- garten and special advantages of a large connect- ing class from the primary to the grammar grade where kindergarten principles are adapted to ad- vaneed grades. The books used in this course are: "The Education of Man," "The Child," "History of Education" and "Lectures on Gifts and Occu- pations." They also study natural history, physi-
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ology and hygiene, botany, psychology and physi- cal geography. Diplomas were granted to all who took a thorough course in theory and practice, and teachers are prepared to pass a public examination.
In religious connections Miss Pennock is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church and has been engaged in Sunday-school work in the past years. She is a member of the Philadelphia Froebel society. In her special department of labor she did a grand work and has greatly promoted interest in the kinder- garten in this locality and was the first person to make a success of the Froebel system in the city of Lancaster. She numbers among the best people of Lancaster many admiring and warm friends, who wish for her in her new home a continuance of the success that rewarded her efforts here.
ETER CLINGER HILLER has been very active in public service in Lancaster Coun- ty, and for eleven years was Justice of the Peace of Conestoga Township, first by appoint- ment under Governor Pattison for a year and since that time was thrice elected in succession. Je has also held a number of local township offices, and among these that of School Director at the time he himself was teaching. ITis home is now in Conestoga Centre, and in connection with his father he owns a nursery and fruit farm compris- ing fifty-eight acres, fourteen of which are devoted to fruit growing. He is very prominent in this locality asa Republican of no uncertain stripe and as a patriotic citizen.
Mr. Hiller was born in this city October 13, 1847, his parents being Casper and Mary A. (Daily) Ililler. The progenitors of the family in America came with a colony locating in Lancaster County, and the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was born in the city of that name. He was a miller by trade and followed that calling dur- ing his active life, residing for the most part in this place. For some years he was a resident of
Millersville, where he lived in the first brick house erected in the place, and as this was before glass came into common use shutters were substi- tuted at the windows. He was a Whig and later a Republican, and died in Conestoga Centre. Ile was twice married, his first wife being a daughter of Michael Benedict, a teacher by profession. By his marriage with Anna Hess he had the follow- ing children: Emma, Catherine, Barbara, Mary, Jacob, John and Casper.
Casper Hiller, the father of our subject, has been engaged in the nursery business for a num- ber of years in this place, and prior to taking up this line of work he was for sixteen years one of the leading educators and teachers of the town- ship. IJe has attended many conventions and for twenty-one years served as a School Director, be- ing very much interested in everything that per- tains to the cause of education. He is a very ac- tive partisan and is recognized as one of the local leaders of the Republicans in this locality, though he never has been prevailed upon to serve in an official capacity. During the late war he was a member of the militia, being Lieutenant of the company raised on the emergency call, but only proceeded as far as Ilagerstown, Md. By his mar- riage Mr. Hiller had four children, Peter, John, Emma and Clara. Emma is the wife of A. W. Guiles, a wagon maker who follows his trade in Lancaster, and the younger daughter became the wife of I. M. Kauffman, a general store keeper. The mother of this family was called from this life in 1882, being in her sixty-fifth year.
Peter C. Hiller passed his boyhood under the parental roof and attended the schools of this place, subsequently pursuing his studies in the Millersville Normal. When seventeen years of age lie obtained a certificate and began teaching, being in charge of schools for twenty-one terms, these being situated in the various townships of Conestoga, Martic, D'equea and Ilempfield. In 1890 he left his educational work in order to be- come United States Revenue Collector under S. M. Fridy, remaining in that capacity for three and a-half years, or until April, 1894, when he accepted the position of clerk in the Registrar's office, with which he is yet identified. Ile is faithful and etti-
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cient in the discharge of his duties and merits the commendation which is so freely accorded him. Since 1869 he has been interested with his father in running a nursery and has been quite success- ful in this enterprise.
In 1869 was celebrated the marriage of our sub- jeet and Martha, daughter of Jacob Iloak, of Con- estoga Township, and five children have graced their union, namely: Emma, the wife of John Clark, a farmer of the same township; Mary, who is married to E. G. Gardner, who has a store in Colemansville, Lancaster County; Casper, Martha and Clara. Fraternally Mr. Ililler belongs to Charles M. Howell Lodge No. 496, F. & A. M .; Chapter No. 43, R. A. M .; Goodman Council No. 19, and Lancaster Commandery, K. T., besides which be is associated with Kishacaquillas Tribe No. 65, Order of Red Men, and the Royal Arcanum. Religiously he bolds membership with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of this place, in company with his entire family.
ILLIAM T. GARRISON, President of the Columbia Wagon Company, is ear- rying on an extensive business in Co- Jumbia, and also has a branch factory in New York City, occupying Nos. 422-426 West Fifteenth Street. He is a son of Daniel J. and Rebecca (Brinton) Garrison, and was born September 26, 1849, in Salem County, N. J. The family is of English origin, the first representative having come to America in the person of David Garrison, many generations removed from our subject. The pa- ternal grandfather of William T., Daniel Garri- son, was the only child of his parents and was born in Salem, N. J. He was a wealthy real estate dealer of that place, where he spent his entire life. In polities he was a Jacksonian Democrat, on which ticket he was elected to publie offices of trust. Ile was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he was Warden for many years. During
the War of 1812 he served as Captain of a militia, and although often in the thickest of the fight, was never wounded or taken prisoner. Ile mar- ried Miss Ann Curry, and became the father of three children, of whom the father of our subject was the second in order of birth. The grandfather lived to be sixty-five years of age.
Daniel J. Garrison was given a fine schooling, being educated for the ministry in the Episcopal Church at Cambria College, Ohio, and afterward attended the Theological Seminary in New York City. lle filled the pulpit for a short time, when he retired and took up his abode on a farm in Salem County, N. J. By his union with Miss Brin- ton there were born five children, namely: Emily, Josephine; Daniel, a practicing physician of Penn's Grove, N. J .; William T., of this sketch, and Vir- ginia C., the wife of William T. King, of Mt. Clair, the above state. The husband and father departed this life in April, 1892, aged eighty-one years. Ilis good wife is still living.
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