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 84
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
The Doctor was only a youth of seventeen when he took up the study of medicine and had for his preceptor Dr. E. J. Bowman, a celebrated physician of Neffsville. In the fall of 1880 young Hyus en- tered Jefferson Medical College, where he took the allotted course of study and was graduated March 30, 1882. Being a young man of much more than ordinary ability and possessed of a retentive mem- ory and keen perceptions, he stood at the head of the class, which numbered two hundred and forty-seven members in the Department of Anatomy. Later he took a two years' extra course in operative sur- gery, receiving two diplomas therefor, and under the instruction of Dr. Shoemaker also made a spe- eial study of skin diseases.
treme heat during the summer season was obliged to return to the north. Accordingly he resumed his Lancaster practice in the fall of 1884, and has his office at No. 13 Walnut Street. While in Ma- con he was railway surgeon for the Eastern Ten- nessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad, and also for the Georgia Central Railway. Ile had a large sur- gery practice in the south and has been very suc- cessful in general practice as well. For three years he has been a health otlieer and is identified with the Lancaster City and County Medieal So- cieties, and when the Pathologieal Association was founded became its Secretary, which position he held for two years.
In JJanuary, 1884, Dr. Ilyus married Miss Rosa Burwell, the ceremony being performed in Phila- delphia. Mrs. Ilyus was born in Franklin County, Va., being a daughter of Armistead L. Burwell, a tobacco manufacturer and a prominent Virginian. His father, General Burwell, had charge of a com- pany in the Revolutionary War. The founder of the family in America was Maj. Lewis Burwell, who left England in 1640 to make a settlement in Virginia. In the line of descent from him was Major Nathaniel and his son, Armistead, who was President of the Council of Virginia. The son of the latter. Col. Lewis, married the daughter of Col. John and Mary Spottiswoode, the former of whom was archbishop of St. Andrews and a di- reet descendant of Governor Spottiswoode, of Vir- ginia. Iler great-grandfather brought the Magna C'harta. established the Order of the Golden Horse- shoe and located the first iron furnace to be put up in the United States in the Old Dominion. For his second wife Colonel Lewis Burwell married a cousin of ex-President William Henry Harrison, and their son John, the grandfather of Mrs. Ilyus, was born in 1776, and owned the beautiful plan- tation called Greenwood, situated in Franklin County, Va. Colonel Burwell equipped a regi- ment without receiving a cent from the Govern- ment and led them through the Revolutionary War. Ile was a very prominent man and was for fourteen years a member of the Virginia Legisla- ture. The father of Mrs. Ilyus owned the beauti- ful plantation in Franklin County known as
On commeneing his professional career Dr. Il- yus came to Lancaster. in 1882, and at the end of a year went to Macon, Ga., there remaining for a similar length of time, but on account of the ex- , Waverly. For his wife he wedded Mary Elis
660
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Bowlin, of an old and honorable family. whose ancestors eame to this country from the borders of England and Scotland at the time of King James. By intermarriage the family was connected with seven signers of the Declaration of Independence. The wife of the Doctor attended school near. her home and at a ladies' seminary in New Orleans. She was given the best advantages to be had, as her parents were very wealthy. Her father died in 1884, and his widow is still living at the old homestead. Dr. and Mrs. Ilyas have had two children, Mary Burwell, who died at the age of two years, and Edna Spottiswoode.
Dr. Ilyus is a member of the Frist Presbyterian Churen, of which he is a Trustee, and formerly was Sunday-school Superintendent. Socially he be- longs to the Knights of Malta, and has been Trus- tee in his lodge. He uses his right of franchise in favor of Republican nominees and principles, and is devoted to the welfare of the general public.
UGUSTUS D. KILLIAN. the obliging agent for the Adams Express Company at Lan- caster, was born in Lancaster in 1853, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Kilhan. The father was a tinner by trade, and his parents came from Seotland. He worked at his trade in Lancaster for a number of years, but later engaged in the manufacture of eigars, which he retailed on East Chestnut Street, and also dealt in leaf tobacco quite extensively. Politically he was a Republi- ean, and stood high in every community in which he lived; he died in 1877. Our subject's mother. whose maiden name was Diehl, was born in Berks County, Pa., and there grew to womanhood. She is a member of the Church of God. Mr. and Mrs. John Killian were the parents of six children, five of whom are living, our subject being the third eldest.
.
Augustus D. attended the public schools at Lan- caster and Yeates Institute, from which he was graduated when fifteen years of age; soon afterward
he received the appointment of messenger of the Adams Express Company, running between Lan- caster, Columbia and Philadelphia, and making the round trip every twenty-four hours. He followed this for eight years and was considered one of the best messengers on the road. At the end of that period he was promoted to be agent of the same company at York, where he remained ten years, making a splendid official record.
A good business man is always in demand for official positions, hence it was that he served on the Council at York from the Third Ward, and held other important positions of public trust, being elected on the Republican ticket, notwithstanding the ward was strongly Democratie. After several years he was made route agent for the express company, with headquarters at Erie, and continued in that position two years, and upon his own re- quest was made agent at Elmira, N.Y. There be re- mained one year, and was later called to the Laneas- ter office to take charge of the extensive express business at that point, which is the largest express office between Pittsburg and Philadelphia, and nine men are employed under him. Since his first ap- pointment to an office with the company he has never been off from the pay roll. During his residence at York he was interested in all of the enterprises of that place, and was instrumental in building up the same.
Like most men possessing good sense, our sub- ject took to himself a companion in 1876, in the person of Miss Patience Hinkle, to whom he was married at Columbia. Mrs. Killian is a native of that city, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kinkle, who are retired farmers. Two children have been born of this union: Guy, a graduate of the high school in the Class of '94, and Marion. Mr. Killian is an acceptable member of the Masonic order, belonging to Columbia Lodge No. 286, F. & A. M. Believing the principles of the Republican party are calculated to best advance the interests of the age in which he lives, he is identified with it. Mrs. Killian is an exemplary member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
For a man but forty years of age our subject has made an enviable reputation. Beginning his aetive life at an early age, and choosing a calling for
661
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
which he was by nature gifted, he steadily pursued the same to the satisfaction of those for whom he labored. Ile has been constantly in the employ of the Adams Express Company since September 10, 1868, when he began as a messenger, and in each position proved himself worthy of promotion.
G. GALBRAITHI is one of the largest con- tractors for artificial stone, granolithic and asphaltum block pavement in Lancaster and gives employment to large forces of men. llis home has been made in this city for only about seven years, but he has built up a large trade and has had as many contracts on hand as he could well undertake at all times. He is enterprising and liberal and a thoroughly public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Galbraith was born in Marietta, Laneaster County, July 28, 1839, being a grandson of IIon. B. Galbraith, who was born in Lancaster in 1735 and was one of the most noted citizens of the place at that early day. During the Revolutionary War he mustered in troops from Lancaster in the official capacity of Marshal. Ile represented this district in the First Pennsylvania Legislature held in Philadelphia, and was one of the originators of the bill introduced into the House for abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania. Ile was one of three brothers who owned farms on Catasauqua Creek and also operated a mill. During the trouble at Valley Forge they gave two hundred barrels of flonr to the troops. Their father was a Presbyte- rian, who came to this locahty from Edinburg, Scotland, by way of Ireland, where he resided for a short time in the northern part of the country. Hon. Mr. Galbraith died in 1804 after his long and patriotic career. Ilis son, our subject's father, who bore the same Christian name, was born in this eity and died in 1848, at the age of forty-four years. He learned his trade of cabinet-maker in Har- risburg, and followed that occupation for some years in Bainbridge. He married Elizabeth Bell, who was born in Dauphin County, and whose death occurred in 1889; when in her eightieth year. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
while her husband was alliliated with the Presby- terian denomination. Her father, William Bell, emigrated from the North of Ireland to Dauphin County, where he engaged in farming. During the War of 1812, in which he was a soldier, he died at Black Rock, on Lake Erie.
Our subject is one of six sons who grew to ma- turity. lle and all of his brothers were in the war at one time and during the same period their mother was Postmistress at Bainbridge. William, the eldest, who now lives in llavana, Ill., went into the service on the emergency call in 1863; James was a member of the Forty-fifth Pennsylva- nia Infantry and died in Bainbridge in 1873; John was a member of the First Pennsylvania Infantry; Frank belonged to the One Hundred and Twenty- second Pennsylvania Infantry; and Burt enlisted on the emergency call in 1863.
The boyhood of J. G. Galbraith was passed in Bainbridge, and when he was only nine years old he commenced as towboy on the Pennsylvania Canal. Afterward he learned the machinist's trade in llarrisburg. April 19, 1861, on the first tap of the drum, he offered his services to the Union and was enlisted as a member of Company A, Tenth Pennsylvania Infantry, for three months' service. Ile was mustered out in July, and in November, 1862, re-enlisted, being assigned to Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-third Regiment. IIe participated in the battle of Gettysburg and for a long period was stationed in the Dismal Swamp. Once again, in 1864, he returned to the ranks as Second Lieutenant of Company II, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, and served until the close of the war, his final mustering out taking place in January, 1866.
Returning to Bainbridge, Mr. Galbraith pur- chased a boat plying on the canal and carrying coal and lumber between Wilkes Barre and Balti- more. When in partnership with his brother they lost the boat "Adolphns" owned by John Gal- braith. Ilis own boat, of which he was Captain for four years, was called "The Virtue." He turned his attention to the paving business, being fore- man for a paving company in Philadelphia for sixteen years, having the entire working manage- ment of the business and often as many as sixty
662
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
men under Ins supervision. With the practical experience thus gained he concluded to start in business for himself in the same line, and in 1887, carrying out this idea, he came to Lancaster. The fine quality of eement which he uses in his business is imported from Belgium, the sand is obtained at Cape May, the asphaltum from Trinidad, South America, and the granite from Point Deposit. He employs about thirty men during the busy season and gives his personal supervision to the work.
In Bainbridge Mr. Galbraith was married in in 1867 to Mary, daughter of John Filbert, a hotel man. Mrs. Galbraith was born at Shamokin Dam, Snyder County, Pa., and departed this life in Phil- adelphia in 1886. Of her five children William and Mary are deceased, and the others are Emily, a graduate of the Philadelphia High School; Charles, who was graduated from the same institu- tion and is a mechanic; and Annie, who lives at home.
Mr. Galbraith is a stockholder in the Morning News Company, and owns stock in mines and other industries. Ilis own residence is finely improved and a most desirable home. Socially he belongs to Lamberton Lodge No. 62, F. & A. M., is a Royal Arch Mason and Past Grand in the Odd Fellows' society. In addition to those mentioned he is eon- nected with the Order of Elks and with George H. Thomas Post No. 84, G. A. R. Politically he is a Republiean of the truest and best sense. In his religious belief he is a Methodist, belonging to the Lancaster congregation.
- )ILLIAM HENRY II. KINZER owns a portion of the old homestead near New Ilolland in East Earl Township, which has been handed down from father to son for sev- eral generations. He also has made a specialty in dealing in eattle and hogs, and has made a finan- cial success of this business. For eighteen years past he has been interested in the lumber business at Poplar Binffs, Mo., where the company to which he belongs owns six thousand acres of timber land,
and is capitalized at $100,000. This is an im- mense concern, and some five million feet of lum- ber are its output each year, thus giving employ- ment to one hundred and fifty hands the year round.
The Kinzers are of German origin, one Jacob Kinzer having left Nuremburg with a colony of Lutherans about 1730. He settled in Earl Town- ship, Lancaster County, where he took up large tracts of land, the main part of which is still owned by his descendants. Of his family, Michael was our subjeet's great-grandfather, and he also carried on a farm near New Holland. His son, George, was the next in descent. Ile was born February 18, 1788, and died in 1834. Ile was a farmer, merchant and distiller. In 1800 he mar- ried Anna M. Ellmaker, and their eldest son was Amos S., our subject's father, who was born Feb- ruary 23, 1803, and died in September, 1876.
Amos S. Kinzer was educated partially at Lewis Boarding School in Chester County, this state. llis first enterprise was as a hotel-keeper, and he built the house known as Blue Ball, at Blue Ball village. On the death of his father he returned to the homestead, and for a few years followed distilling as well as agriculture, but finally turned his attention exclusively to farming. In 1823 he went in company with Thomas Himes to St. Louis, Mo., on horseback, making an average of forty miles per day. St. Louis was then a French trad- ing post with little promise of the future in store for it. The young men went to work in a saw- mill, but young Kinzer was taken sick with malarial fever, and at once returned home by way of Louis- ville. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church, and an anti-Mason. In politics he was a Whig, and a prominent man in his locality. Ile was twice married. JJanuary 23, 1827, he wedded Maria Ilimes, daughter of Thomas and Catherine Ilimes, of Salisbury Township, by whom he had three children: Catherine, who married Samuel High, of Lancaster; George Il., who was lost with all on board the steamer "Golden Gate," July 27, 1862, while coming from San Francisco; and Theodore, a lumber merchant of Lancaster. His second mar- riage was with Elizabeth Hurst, the ceremony be- ing celebrated September 15, 1836. To them were
663
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD.
born Anna M., who married Albert Mellvane, of Paradise Township; Annie E., deceased; William 11. H., of this sketch; and Edwin A., who died in infaney. The father upon his demise was buried in the New Holland Lutheran Cemetery by the side of many of his ancestors. He was a noble type of the German-American citizen, possessed of generous and genial qualities.
William Il. Il. Kinzer was born in East Earl . Township, on his present farm, October 24, 1840 Ilis education was obtained in the Coatesville Seminary, and subsequently he taught school for five terms. Ile then returned to the home farm, where he has remained ever since. The place com- prises one hundred and eighty acres, one-half of the original estate. This land was taken up by Ilon. John W. Kitera, Congressman from this dis- triet, about 1750. July 9, 1863, our subject en- listed in Company K, Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, as a Sergeant, and was discharged on the 14th of the following August. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a stanch Republican. For three successive terms he has served as a School Director.
May 12, 1868, Mr. Kinzer married Emma, daugli- ter of George Ruth, a farmer of Berks County, Pa. Their children are as follows: Amos S., Will- iam H., now attending the West Chester State Nor- mal; Bessie, who died in 1886, aged six years; Sallie B., who died in infancy; and Marianna, now in her ninth year. Amos S., the eldest son, is now pursuing his studies in the Pennsylvania Univer- sity, and will graduate in 1896 from the medical department. Ile formerly attended the West Ches- ter State Normal School, and after leaving there, taught successfully for two terms in the home dis- triet and in Elizabeth Township.
1
J AMES II. WARNER, an architect residing in the city of Lancaster, has many monu- ments to his skill as a designer of beautiful buildings, but a more lasting record should he made for him, hence the following biographical notice: Ile was born in London in 1860, the son
of Col. William Warner, a native of Cambridge- shire; he was also a civil engineer and worked for the Government. He died in the service of his country in the year 1865. He was a young inan at the time of his death and was Colonel of an engineering corps. Our subject's mother was born in Kent. Ile was the only member of his family who came to America. Ile was grad- uated from the City College of London and from the School of Design of South Kensington in 1882, and came to America the same year. Ile spent one year in New York City, and then vis- ited Boston. Philadelphia and Chicago, remaining in the latter city three years. From there he went to Canada, and soon afterward returned to Buffalo, N. Y., and from that eity to Harrisburg, practicing his profession. Ile had as partner a Mr. Smith, an architect at Reading and Harrisburg. In 1888 he removed to Lancaster and opened an office in the Eslileman Building, and has designed many buildings since his coming to Lancaster, includ- ing magnificent school buildings and fine resi- dences.
Mr. Warner is an honored member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., and is a Royal Arch Mason. Politically he is a Republican.
OHIN CHAMBERS. Years after a stone alone remains to tell the story of their lives, the memories of the war heroes will be cherished by the generations who follow them, and npon whose lives their valor has left a lasting impress. Lancaster County was well represented among the soldiers who defended the Stars and Stripes, and one of the number who did valiant service for the cause of the Union was Mr. Cham- bers, one of Lancaster's successful business men and honored citizens.
A native of the city where he now makes his home, the subject of this sketch was born Angust 20, 1841, the son of James and Anna Eliza (Dow- art) Chambers. The family was established in
664
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Pennsylvania many years ago. Our subject's father was born in Lancaster in 1814, and in early life fol- lowed the trade of a comb maker, but later filled the position of division boss on the Pennsylvama Railroad for thirty-six years, He died of cholera during the epidemic of that disease in Lancaster in 1866, being then forty-eight years of age. His wife survived until 1889, when she died, at the age of seventy years. In politics a Democrat, he was promment in his party, and upon its ticket was elected to a number of local offices. Ile served as Superintendent of the City Water Works one term. Ile was a man held in high regard by his associ- ates and was a devoted Christian, belonging to the Reformed Church. Socially he was a member of Lancaster Lodge No. 67, I. O. O. F., and Washing- ton Eneampment.
In the family of James and Ann Eliza Cham- bers there were eight children, as follows: John; Andrew, who since 1863 has been an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is a resident of Philadelphia; Henry, who died at the age of one and one-half years; Charles, collector for the Penn- sylvania Railroad; Margaret, who died at the age of two years; Maria, James and Harry. In the public and high schools of Lancaster our subject received a fair education. At the age of fifteen he left school and began to learn the printer's trade, but after one year's apprenticeship he se- cured a position as an employe in a comb factory. For a time he was with the Adams Express Com- pany, and afterward learned the trade of coach building with Cox, Decker & Co., remaining with them four years.
At the first call for troops at the outbreak of the Rebellion, JJohn Chambers enlisted with the old Feneible Military Band for three months' service in Company F, First Pennsylvania Infantry. Af- terwards he enlisted for three years as a member of the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, and . took part with his regiment in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga and Bentonville, as well as many minor engagements. For two years he was with the Seventy-ninth, and after a total period of service of two years and four months was mustered out at Harrisburg, l'a.
On his return home Mr. Chambers resumed work
at his trade. Some time later he entered into part- nership as a member of the firm of McGinnis, Chambers & Co., at Carlisle. Pa., where he remained one year. Returning to Lancaster, he worked for six years in the employ of Stigerwalt & Doerson, after which he was for three years a member of the firm of Eagerly & Co. He was then foreman in the paint shop of Norbeck & Miley, holding that position twelve years. In 1889 he started in busi- ness with L. C. Palmer, under the firm title of Chambers & Palmer, which is well known as one of the most reliable firms of the county. They occupy a two-story building at Nos. 616 to 620 East King Street, Lancaster, where they have a factory, 60x30 feet in dimensions, with an addition 20x80. As many as eighteen men are at times em- ployed, and the products of the factory are of uni- form grade and superior quality.
In social matters Mr. Chambers belongs to Lan- caster Lodge No. 67, I. O. O. F., and Washington Encampment. Ile also affiliates with the Knights of the Mystic Chain, holding membership with Stevens' Castle Lodge No. 4. Politically he is a Democrat. In religious belief he advocates the doctrines of the Reformed Church. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Cecelia Ilagg, and they are the parents of seven children, namely: Emma; James, who is foreman in the wagon shops at Reading; Charles, who lives in Jersey City; William, who died in 1890; Daisy, John and Ann Eliza.
-
A LLEN W. MENTZER, engaged in the man- nfacture of cigars at Ephrata, is a native of this county, having been born in West Cocalico Township, January 25, 1836. Ile is the son of John and Catherine ( Weidman ) Mentzer, also natives of this section, where they were highly respected. Catherine Mentzer was a daughter of Jacob Weidman, whose father's name was also Jacob, and who came from Wurtemberg, Germany.
Frederick Mentzer, the grandfather of our sub- jeet, was likewise a native of this county, where his father, who bore the name of Conrad, lived on
665
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a farm, and was a man possessed of considerable means. Frederick Mentzer married Miss Elizabeth Schneider, and to them were born a son and daughter, the latter being named Susanna.
The father of our subject was also a farmer and dealt quite extensively in stock. He was born March 27, 1796, and spent his entire life on the old homestead in West Cocalico Township. In politics he was a Republican after the formation of the party. He was an Elder in the Lutheran Church, with which body he had been connected for many years. The four sons and two daughters compris- ing the parental family were: Levi; Israel, who died April 26, 1883, aged fifty-six years; John; Allen W .: Catherine, who died December 29, 1891. aged sixty-eight; and Elizabeth, who died in Ak- ron, Ohio. The father died September 29, 1868, aged seventy-three years, and his good wife, who was born May 9, 1794. departed this life March 1, 1868. in her seventy-fourth year.
The original of this sketch attended the schools of his native township until he was fifteen years old, then took a short course at the Howard Acad- emy, Chester County; afterward he took a course of instruction from Professor Montgomery, of Millersville, Pa., then taught school for two terms under Superintendent Wickersham. At the expira- tion of that time, at the age of nineteen, we lind him located at Indiantown, this county, where he opened up a mercantile establishment, and after conducting a good trade for eight years purchased the stock and property of E. C. Kealing, of Schoe- neck, continuing the two stores, and conducting the business successfully for four years, at the end of which time he sold out to Elias Stober, of Lin- coln. He then moved to Millbach. Lebanon Coun- ty, and purchased the fam of his father-in-law, Isaac Gibbel, and farmed for three years. He then rented the farm and purchased the interest of Isaac Bucher, of the firm of Bucher & Co., mer- chants of Schaefferstown, Pa., and moved to that point and conducted business under the firm name of Bucher & Mentzer for seven years. He then purchased the interest of Rev. Christian C. Bucher. his partner, and moved the stock of goods to Ephrata in April, 1878, where he purchased six acres of land, and erected thereon his large cigar
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.