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 81
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In 1870 Mr. Heise embarked in the hardware business, in partnership with J. A. Kauffman, which connection existed until 1883, when our subject bought out his partner's interest and continued alone until 1890, then selling out his interest. Since that time he has been engaged in the agrieult- ural and farm implement trade, being the owner of his business headquarters at No. 230 Loeust Street. In company with Dr. Mellinger he also owns No. 236, 238 and 240 Locust Street. Mr. Ileise is one of the promoters of the new Savings and Loan Association, being Secretary of the same. The wagon company, which we have previously re- ferred to, will be capable of putting out as many as one hundred and fifty wagons per month when in running order.
Politically Mr. Heise is a Republican, and in 1893 was elected Chief Burgess of Columbia, to serve for three years, this being his second term. Ile has made a very popular official, and is always to be found on the side of the people. During the late war he served at Georgetown for three months,
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in the Horse Stock Department, selecting horses for the army service.
In April, 1874, Mr. Heise married Miss Susie, daughter of John S. Mellinger, and had two chil- dren, who have both passed away. By his present wife, Eva, daughter of Joseph Detwiler, he has had one child, who is also deceased. Mrs. lleise's father is a well-to-do farmer of Mt. Joy, being the possessor of three well cultivated farms in that locality. Mr. Ileise is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church of this city, to which his wife also be- longs.
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ILLIAM MATTERN, holding a good position in the Columbia Iron Com- pany, is the son of Charles II. and Elizabeth Mattern, and was born September 16, 1845, at Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, this state. The grandfather of our subject. Charles Mattern, was born in Berks County, Pa., where he afterward became an extensive dealer in real estate. He was a man of limited education but remarkable busi- ness ability, who knew how to turn every dollar to good account. Ile is now deceased, that event taking place in Kutztown. In politics he was an old line Whig and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church.
The father of our subject was born in Berks County, January 27, 1801. He acquired a fair knowledge in the schools near his home, and when quite young began teaming, owning his own out- fit. Later in life he engaged in the lumber busi- ness near Pottsville, Schuylkill County, in which en- terprise he was remarkably successful, and for many years prior to his decease lived retired in that coun- ty. In politics he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, after which he joined its ranks. Ile was very popular in his community and held many offices within the gift of his fellow- townsmen to bestow.
The parental family included the following children: Mary E., Ephraim, Emma E .. William, Jeremiah, John, Martha, Charles and Hiram. The husband and father died August 3, 1863, when in
the sixty-second year of his age. He was a mem- ber in good standing of the Reformed Church and was active in all societies of that denomination. His wife is still living.
The original of this sketch attended school in Pottsville until reaching his fourteenth year, when he was obliged to begin work for himself. lle first entered the employ of the Hlaywood Rolling Mills in the above place, where he remained for ten years. After this he traveled about, being variously employed until 1885, when he located in this city and was given a position with Denney & Co. as Assistant Superintendent of their plant. Ile remained with that company for the following two years, after which we find him working for the Columbia Iron Company.
In his political relations our subject follows in the footsteps of his honored father and votes for Republican candidates. He is at present serving as a member of the Council in the city, which office he has held since 1892. Religiously he wor- ships with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, of which he is an active member. He was mar- ried in October, 1868, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Michael Freehafer, and to them have been born four children. Ilarry F., bookkeeper in the Read- ing Roller Mills; Willie and Florentine, deceased, and Frederick Leroy. Socially Mr. Mattern is a prominent Mason, meeting with Chandler Lodge No. 227.
HARLES E. NETSCHER, M. D., of Lan- caster, was born in Adams County, Pa., near the historic city of Gettysburg, Sep- tember 29, 1857. He is the son of Rev. Francis Netscher, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who learned the trade of a cooper in youth and at the age of eighteen years came to America. Through the influence of a German gentleman, a member of the Reformed Church, he became a stu- dent in Marshall College, and was graduated from that institution, also from the theological seminary at Mercersburg. Ordained to the ministry of the Reformed Church, he served acceptably in that ca-
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pacity in Adams and Clarion Counties. Ilis ca- reer was one of usefulness and honor to the min- isterial profession, but was eut short by his un- timely death in 1859.
December 18, 1856, Rev. Francis Netscher mar- ried Catherine E. McCune, a native of Mercers- burg, and daughter of Jacob MeCune, who emi- grated from Ireland to America and settled in Mercersburg. This union resulted in the birth of two children, of whom only one is now living. The mother, after the death of her husband, re- turned to Mereersburg, and later married N. Z. Snyder, of South Bethlehem, where she now re- sides. Our subject accompanied Ins mother to Mercersburg and afterward to South Bethlehem. llis studies were conducted in Lehigh University for a time, after which he taught school in Altoona, Northampton County. In 1876 he entered the freshman class of Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated in 1880, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After a short time devoted to teaching and to the study of medicine by himself, he entered the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia in the fall of 1881, and re- mained in that institution until his graduation in April, 1883, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. While pursuing his studies in the college lie spent his vacations in Lancaster with Dr. M. L. Ilerr. While gaining a good knowledge of every department of the science he made a specialty of nose and throat diseases.
In 1883 the Doetor began practice for himself, and in 1888 came to his present location at No. 46 North Prince Street. In addition to his regu- Jar practice he devotes considerable attention to the treatment of diseases of the nose and throat. He owns a three-story brick building, with a front- age of twenty-six feet, which is one of the sub- stantial structures of the city. He was united in marriage, November 29, 1887, with Miss Mary Sener, a native of Lancaster, and daughter of Frederick Sener, a cattle dealer of this place. They are the parents of three children, two daughters and a son.
Socially Dr. Netscher belongs to Lamberton Lodge No. 476, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While
in school he was President of the Phi Kappa Sigma. Ilis political opinions are in accord with the principles of the Republican party. In relig- ion he is identified with St. Paul's Reformed Church. He is a member of the City and County Medical Associations, the Lancaster City Patho- logical Society and the State Medical Society.
E UGENE G. SMITH, well known as one of Lancaster's most successful attorneys, was born in Manheim, this eounty, January 24, 1853. His paternal grandfather, David Smith, was an extensive plantation and slave owner dur- ing ante-bellum days, but before the Rebellion began, he had come to a conscientious realization that slavery was not right. Aeting upon this be- lief he freed his slaves and became a strong Abo- litionist, linking his fortune and services in the cause. In early life a Democrat, he afterward joined the Republican party and remained an ardent supporter of that political organization until death. Although he never aspired to political distinction, he was often requested to accept ofliees of trust and frequently served in publie positions. He was intimately acquainted with Lincoln and Grant, whom with other statesmen he entertained on va- rious occasions. In religion he was identified with the Reformed Church, in which he held the most important offices. In support of the church he was liberal, as well as in other philanthropic projects. During the Rebellion he provided provisions and raiment for an entire division of the army for one month, paying for this out of his private funds. Ilis death oeenrred in August, 1869, at the age of seventy-five. lle and his wife, Ann M. Rohrer, had eleven children, but lost the most of them by death in childhood; three of the family still sur- vive.
The father of our subjeet was born in Antietam, Washington County, Md., and in youth was a stu- dent in various academies and in Ball College, after- ward was graduated from Baltimore Medical Col- lege and became a successful practitioner of the
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profession. In 1856 he became interested in Chi- cago real estate and at one time owned what is now part of Lincoln Park, but later disposed of the larger part of this property and settled in Rohrers- town. This site he selected on account of the healthfulness of the climate, which he hoped would be beneficial to his failing health. lle recovered and was able to give his full attention to his large and remunerative practice. During the war he had charge of the Union hospital at Harper's Ferry. Ile was buried on the day the first Con- federate soldiers passed through Rohrerstown but. by special orders from the General in command. his widow and children were protected from mo- lestation. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion was a member of the Reformed Church. He married Elizabeth Barbara, a sister of Emanuel V. Gerhart, D. D., LL. D., of Franklin and Mar- shall College. They had two sons, our subject's brother being George Albert, who is engaged in the wholesale tobacco business in Philadelphia.
In the public schools of Lancaster Eugene G. Smith received his elementary education. He took a special course in the high school preparatory to entering Franklin and Marshall College, in which his name was enrolled as a student September 1. 1869, at the age of sixteen. After several years of study he was graduated in 1873, and then took up the study of law under Edwin HI. Yunt. Admitted to the Bar he continued with his former preceptor at No. 38 North Duke Street. In politics a Repub- lican, he is one of the leaders of the party in this city. In 1878 he was elected City Solicitor for one term. During his administration the question was agitated of requiring the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company to put danger gates at grade cross- ings. This had been attempted before, but all previous efforts had proved futile. Hle brought one hundred and seventy-two suits against the company for running trains beyond the maximum rate of speed and won every suit.
With movements of reform in the municipal control of the city, Mr. Smith has been identified. With a number of other gentlemen he conceived the idea of undertaking a movement of reform in the city and county. Their first step was present- ing the name of H. Clay Brubaker for judge, and
the contest that followed is remembered as one of the closest in the history of the city. Hle heads the faction which he and a few others precipitated, and has made a crusade against certain wrongs in the municipal and official control about the court- house. Boldly, fearlessly and aggressively he has fought the evils and abuses of justice which abound. Through the Morning News he has aroused the people to a knowledge of these abuses and has moulded public opinion so that the senti- ment of the majority is now in favor of the re- forms projected.
Since twenty-one years of age Mr. Smith has served as a Deacon in the Reformed Church. No- vember 2. 1882, he married Miss Margaret Jean, daughter of Col. William M. Wiley, and they are the parents of a daughter, Florence Wiley. In the organization of the Hamilton Club Mr. Smith aided, being a charter member and the first Seere- tary of the organization. He is also a member of the Young Men's Republican Club of Lancaster and the Citizens' Republican Club.
DWIN KONIGMACHER has been retired from active business for the past twelve years, though he has money invested and owns a well improved farm in Clay Township. comprising one hundred and three acres, which yield to the owner a nice sum annually. For a number of years our subject was engaged in the drug business at Ephrata, in which city he still makes his home. Ilis birth occurred September 9, 1820, in the township of the same name in Lancaster County, his parents being William and Susan (Bowman) Konigmacher.
The great-grandfather of our subject, who bore the Christian name of Adam, left his native place on the Rhine in Saxony, Germany, prior to the Revolutionary War, when twelve years of age, and set sail for America in company with his mother, who died while on the Atlantic. With friends young Adam continued his journey, and resided with them in this city for a number of years. Re-
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turning then to the Fatherland, he married a girl who had been his former playmate, and on their return to America they located on a farm near the village of Ephrata, where they passed their remain- ing days. His death occurred January 30, 1793, at the age of fifty-five years, and his wife died January 19, 1816, aged seventy years. Their son. Jacob, the next in the line of descent, was born on the homestead farm, and was one of the first phy- sicians in this part of the county, had a wide range of practice and kept three horses in almost con- stant use. Ile was a member of the Seven Days Baptist denomination, in the faith of which he died, September 13, 1839, in his sixty-ninth year. Ilis wife, formerly Rebecca Falinestock, departed this life December 5, 1832. aged fifty-three years. They had four children, Adam, William, Susan and John.
Our subject's father was born in 1797 in Ephrata Township, and in his early life followed farming, but later succeeded his father in the mercantile business in this place. Ile was a member of the same denomination as his father, and politically : was a Whig. He married Miss Susan Bowman and had three children, our subject, Adam and Mary. The mother died June 15, 1833, at the age of thir- ty-five years, and the father. for his second wife, chose Lydia Miller. Their only child was Rebecca, the wife of Moore Connell, of Ephrata. The fa- ther died in 1881, but his second wife is still liv- ing, at the age of ninety years.
Mr. Konigmacher of this sketch was born near this eity, and remained with his father until reach- ing his majority, when he entered his general merchandise store, where he remained for several years. He finally succeeded to the business, and in company with his brother also operated a farm which had formerly been carried on by his father. After years spent as a general merchant, our sub- ject embarked in the drug business in this village, and continued in that branch of trade for ten years, selling out m 1882.
May 20, 1860, occurred the marriage of our snb- ject and Miss Lydia Mohler, and to them two chil- dren were born: Anna, wife of M. G. Brumbaugh, a preacher and lecturer at lluntingdon, who is connected with the Philadelphia University, and
William, who died March 3, 1865, aged one year and seven months. The mother died April 18, 1866, aged thirty-six years nine months and a-half. November 26. 1868, our subject married Susan Spohn. Anna, the only living child of Mr. Kon- igmacher, was educated in what is now called Jun- iata College, at Huntingdon. and is the mother of two children, Mabel and Edwin, aged respectively six and four years.
1 ACOB LIBIJART. The business interests of Marietta have a capable and successful rep- resentative in the subject of this biography, who conducts a furniture and undertaking business at this place. The store of which he is owner and proprietor has a frontage of thirty feet, with a depth of eighty feet, and is stocked with a full assortment of furniture of latest improved styles, together with caskets and coffin furnishings of all kinds. In the latter line he has conducted a large business, and since entering upon the trade on his own account has a record of over twenty-eight hundred funerals that he has attended.
Referring to the ancestry and personal history of our subject, we find that his paternal grand- father, Henry Libhart, was a resident of York County, Pa., and a man of great inventive ability and superior intelligence. He manufactured the first pipe organ ever in his eounty, and in other ways displayed the possession of considerable in- genuity. ITis latter years were spent in Marietta. The father of our subject, Jacob Libhart, was a business man of Marietta, and for a half-century engaged in business as a cabinet-maker and under- taker, retiring to private life only a few years be- fore his death. In polities he was a Democrat, and in religion adhered to the faith of the Reformed Church. Socially he was connected with the Har- mony Beneficial Society of Marietta. His death occurred at the age of eighty-two. Ilis first wife, Anna Cromwell, died at the age of thirty-five. af- ter having had four children, viz .: Henry, de-
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ceased; Benjamin, a resident of Marietta; John, deceased; and Jacob, the youngest of the house- hold.
Our subject was born February 2, 1832, and in the public schools of Marietta received a practical education. after which he learned the cabinet-mak- er's trade with his father. At the age of eighteen he assumed charge of his father's undertaking bus- iness, which he has since conducted and which is very large, covering a radius of twenty miles from this city. He is a graduate of Professor Sullivan's Embalming School at Harrisburg, Pa., and manu- factured the first ice casket for preserving the dead known in Lancaster County. While his attention is given very largely to the demands of his large and increasing business, he also finds time for the intelligent consideration of public questions, and politically gives his allegiance to the Democratic party. At one time he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Superintendent of its Sunday-school, but at present his member- ship is in the Presbyterian Church. In November. 1867, he married Miss Kate Cohic, who was born July 30, 1839, and they have two daughters, Har- riet S. and Anna M., both of whom are at home. Mrs. Libhart is the daughter of Christian and Anna (Bidler) Cohic. They were natives of Pennsyl- vania and lived at Mt. Joy. Their family con- sisted of seven daughters and three sons: Maria, Fannie, Barbara, Melia. Mary, Anna, Kate, John, Isaac and Jacob. Mrs. Libhart is the youngest.
OHN W. HIEMENZ, President of the Lan- caster Real Estate and Improvement Com- pany, is one of the most extensive and suc- cessful real estate dealers of Lancaster. Like many another man, through his active business ca- reer he has made a history for himself well worthy of being recorded in this connection. lle first saw the light of day November 21, 1851, in Lancaster. His father, Francis X. liemenz, a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, and a shoemaker by trade, came to America prior to his marriage and worked
at his trade many years. then returned to his Ger- man home and died at the age of seventy-five years.
Our subject's mother, Barbara (Ganz) Hiemenz, was a native of the same locality in which her hus- band was born; she was the daughter of Henry Ganz, a carpenter and builder, who brought the family to Baltimore, Md., subsequently removing to Lancaster. On their voyage back to the Old Coun- try, our subjeet's mother died and was buried be- neath the ocean's wave. The family consisted of ten children, who grew to maturity, and eight are now living, our subject being the third oldest. Ile was reared in this city, spending his early years as only boyhood can, but at the age of thirteen he was obliged to begin work in earnest. Ile learned the coal business, also made cigar boxes, and fin- ally drifted into the retail business in company with his brother on North Queen Street, and con- tinued in the same business after the partnership was dissolved.
In 1888 Mr. Hiemenz made a trip to England and other parts of Europe, being absent three months, and after his return to this country en- gaged in the real estate business, and purchased the Atlee tract at the corner of Locust and Shippen Streets. He built this property up, and then sold out and purchased a tract of Jacob M. Miller, which he also built up and sold. He continued to buy up small tracts of city acre property and im- prove them, in some instances platting them and disposing of the lots at good figures. Among these tracts may be named a fifteen aere lot belong- ing to Agnes Kelly, and the Welzel farm, a seven- teen acre tract on East King Street. He has lived to see these tracts well improved and provided with excellent buildings.
In the autumn of 1892 Mr. Hiemenz organized the Lancaster Real Estate and Improvement Com- pany, which was incorporated with a capital of $100,000. Ile was made President of the same. This company purchased the Kelly property, con- sisting of eighty acres, and platted the same into town lots, and made substantial building improve- ments upon the same. They have also established a Real Estate Exchange, which is a distinct cor- poration by itself and yet a branch of the Improve-
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ment Company. Individually Mr. Hiemenz has a fifty-acre tract which he purchased of A. C. Kepler, adjoining the city, and which is one of the finest farms in this part of the state. Among its attrac- tions are a six-acre lawn, a fish pond, artistic grounds and beautiful groves. He also owns valu- able property at Lebanon.
In 1881 Mr. Hiemenz was united in marriage with Miss Julia, daughter of the late Henry Stroble, who was a brewer of Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Hiemenz have had five children, John, Agnes, Panl (deceased), Eugene and Julia. The family residence, one of the delightful homes of Lancas- ter, is situated at No. 337 East Orange Street. Politically Mr. Hiemenz has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party. The family are members of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Hiemenz has erected on his own property over two hundred houses, some of which have been sold at a good profit. For a man just in the prime of life, there is perhaps no more successful one in the county.
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EORGE H. DANNER, a prominent busi- ness man and influential citizen of Man- heim, is a native of this city, and was born September 10, 1834. His parents, Daniel and Eliz- abeth (Hartman) Danner, were also natives of Manheim, and lived to a good old age. The fa- ther departed this life April 18. 1881. The great- grandfather was one of the early pioneers of this state, and during those perilous times was cap- tured by the Indians. He succeeded in making his escape and returned to his home, where the town of Manheim now stands. At that time the country was all a wild, uncultivated tract of land, with but few inhabitants, and their small log cabins were miles apart.
Adam Danner, the grandfather of our subject, was born here, and learned the trade of a weaver. Ile was first a weaver of linen, but afterward be- came a carpet weaver, in which vocation he made a good living for himself and family, and accu-
mulated considerable property. The father, Dan- iel Danner, was a wheelwright by profession, mak- ing a specialty of the manufacture of spring wheels. Ile was a Whig first, and afterward became a Re- publican. He served as a member of the Council, and was Treasurer of the borough for a number of years. lle was also a member of the first fire company of Manheim, of which he was Secretary. He took a deep interest in the schools of his vi- cinity, and was a strong advocate of the public school system, and was considered one of the best mathematicians of his day. He was one of the leading men who helped to secure the incorpora- tion of the town of Manheim. Being public-spir- ited, he was ready to lend a helping hand and assist in every enterprise pertaining to the welfare of the community. For over forty years he was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church, and during most of that time he held the offices of Class-leader and Sunday-school Superintendent. His family consisted of five children, two of whom are living, George H. and Aaron II.
Aaron II. Danner was born November 22, 1836, and received his education in the public schools of Manbeim and Millersville State Normal School. He became a teacher in the public schools of his native place, and made teaching his profession for several years. Later he embarked in the merean- tile business, and became one of the prosperous busi- ness men of Manheim. After fifteen years of pros- perity he retired from the store, but being ener- getic, he could not remain idle, and in a short time again engaged in business, and at the present time is a member of the firm of G. H. Danner & Co. He is a Director in the Keystone National Bank, and Manager of the Manheim & Lancaster Turnpike Company. He is also a member of the City Coun- cil, having served in that capacity for years. In politics he is a strong Republican. Angust 8, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, a daughter of William Ensminger. They became the parents of eight children: George D .; Frank- lin and Esther M., who are still living; Edgar, James, William. Harry and Ella, deceased. George D. is a student in the Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg.
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