Bios: Dorsey, Hensel, Hildebrand, Shank, and Seiple: Lancaster County Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Southern Lancaster County Historical Society. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and County table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ The following are biographies from the book "Biographical Annals of Lancaster County" printed in 1903, Beers inc. These Bio's were written by family members and for the price of putting the Bio's in the book you recieved a copy. I had seenin one place the price to do this was $15.00, and in the estate papers of another person Beers inc. was trying to collect $75.00 for the book the deceased person had purchased. They had a portrait included in their Bio. With these Bio's it is important to remember that the family members put the information in. In some cases I think they did not really check their souces for dates and many are not consistant with dates found in records, obits, and tombstones. But they are interesting stories and can give clues to family names, parents and children. These Bio's all have some connection with parts of my family tree Marie Malark MMaark2@aol.com SAMUEL DORSEY Samuel Dorsey (deceased) was during his life a prominent and well-known farmer of Fulton township, this County. He was born in Cecil County Md., Sept. 28, 1828, and died in Fulton township , Lancaster Co., Pa. March 23, 1896. He was a son of Nathaniel and Pheobe ( Enning ) Dorsey, natives of Maryland, who were the parents of four children; William A. is a retired farmer of Cecil County, Md., Oliver is deceased ; Samuel is deceased; John is a retired farmer of Drumore Township, Lancaster County. The Dorsey family have nearly all Democrats in politics, and Presbyterian in religious belief. Samuel Dorsey married Miss Martha Reynolds a daughter of Elisha and Sophia (Weeks) Reynolds, of Fulton township. The Reynolds family is a pioneer family of Lancaster County, and it's members have always enjoyed high repute for sterling worth. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey was blessed with a family of seven children. Sophia, born March 26, 1852, died in childhood, Melissa is also deceased, Mary L. , born Aug 4, 1857 died March 23, 1852, Annie, born Oct. 23, 1860 married Anson Ambler, and died July 13, 1899, leaving three children- - Clyde d., Norman E., and Martha M.; Elmer E. born Nov. 24, 1866, died in childhood; Oliver J., born May 21, 1868, died in childhood; Harriett Eliza, born Oct. 30, 1872 died young. Mrs. Martha Dorsey, widow of Samuel Dorsey, was born in Lancaster County, April 11, 1830. When she and her husband were married they were poor, but by toil and industry they owned, at the time of Mr. Dorsey's death, two fine farms and a nice mill property in Fulton township. Mr. Dorsey became a substantial citizen, and was well liked by his neighbors. For a time he followed the carpenter's trade, and many of the houses in the vicinity were put up by him. Mrs. Dorsey is the only surviving member of her family, her husband and children having gone before. She is comfortably situated in McSparran village, where she enjoys the universal esteem of her neighbors. N.N. Hensel There is no more honorable or higher esteemed old settler-citizen of Drumore township, Lancaster County than N. N. Hensel, whose ancestry has been connected with the military as well as the agricultural history of this County. Great-Grandfather Fredrick Hensel came to America from his German home and was one of the earliest settlers in Northampton County. William Hensel, the son of Fredrick, was a carpenter by trade, in Lancaster, was a brave and Gallant soldier through the Revolutionary war, taking part in the battles of the Brandywine, Monmouth and Princeton and was also at Valley Forge with Gen. Washington through the terrible winter of 1777. His seven children were George, John, Jacob, William, Catherine, Elizabeth and Maria, and his death occurred at the age of ninety years. William Hensel the father of N. N. Hensel, was born in 1791 and died in 1856. He also was prominent in loyal service to his country, being a brave soldier of the war of 1812. About 1818 he married Mary Norton, of English Origin, born in the State of Maryland, and eleven children were born unto them, eight of whom grew to maturity: George W., Maria C., N. N., Eliza A., W.W., John H., Edwin F., and Mary, all of whom have since passed out of life except our subject and one brother, W. W. Hensel. N. N. Hensel was born in Harford County, Md., Oct.14, 1826, a son of William and Mary (Norton) Hensel. Early in life he learned the trade of wheelwright near Quarryville, and in 1849, he moved to Fairfield, Drumore Township, and started a wheelwright shop; there he has remained all these years, one of the worthy and industrious citizens of the village. Mr. Hensel followed his trade continuously from 1844 to 1890, since which time he has been engaged in the coal and grain business. His fellow-citizen have asked many services of him of a public character, and he has efficiently filled the office of County auditor, and has been justice of the peace for the past fifteen years. Mr. Hensel was married in 1847, to Miss Susan Hawk, of this township, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Hawk, natives of Lancaster County; she was born Dec. 12, 1826, and she died in 1894. Their marriage was blessed with the following children; Anna M., who married A.M. Watson; Adda M., who married Joseph Watson; Sarah E., who married Maurice Pyle; Amanda J., who married Charles Chambers; George W., cashier of the Strasburg Bank, who married Ella Waidley; Fred H., who married Elizabeth Stanford, is a wheelwright by trade in Lancaster; Herbert; Alice V.; Edwin F.; Lewis; Elmer; Susan; and Horace. Of these six died young, Horace, Susan, Alice, Lewis, Herbert, and Edwin. In politics Mr. Hensel, has always supported the Republican party. Although not connected with any particular religious body, he has been a liberal contributor and supporter of the Methodist church and has ever upheld laws relating to good enterprises and movements promising to be of benefit to his community. Although he began life with limited means, his thrift and industry have enabled him to accumulate property so that he is now considered not only one of the most respected but also one of the substantial citizens of the locality. Jacob Hildebrand Among the well known and respected citizens of Strasburg is Jacob Hildebrand, who has won the esteem and respect of the community through a long life, during which he has faithfully served his bough in a number of public capacities. Jacob Hildebrand was born Nov. 16, 1822, of German and French ancestry, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Heiney ) Hildebrand, the former of whom passed a greater portion of his business life in Soudersburg and Paradise. In those days there were no free schools in the locality in which they lived, and as the parents were limited in means, young Jacob had few educational advantages, and was earlythrown upon his own resources. The first attempt of the lad to make an honest living for himself was in 1832, when he engaged to drive a butcher wagon and deliver meat to the workmen building the Pennsylvania Railroad, between Ronk's and Leaman Place. Between the ages of thirteen and twenty years, the youth worked for Benjamin Herr, a farmer who lived about one mile east of Stasburg, laboring for his board and cloths, and it was through the kindness of Mr. Herr that he derived the little education which became his, as well as gaining the habits of study and investigation which proved useful in all his subsequent career. While living here he was permitted to attend the district school for several sessions, about four days out of each week, his benefactor paying the expense. At the age of twenty, Jacob entered the cabinet making shop of Joel Rice, of Strasburg, remained in his employ for two years, and at the expiration of this apprenticeship, he started into business for himself, making furniture and working in carpentry, until 1852.At this date he purchased from W. S. Warren a stock of mercandise and entered into this business, remaining in the mercantile line until 1855, when he sold his stock and again resumed his former trade, engaging extensively in building and contracting; in 1856 he was a member of the building committee in the erection of the town hall. In 1854, Jacob Hildebrand was elected by his fellow citizens as chief burgess of the borough of Strasburg, and for thirty years he held other borough offices, but retired to privite life at last, declining to serve longer. In 1860 he was elected justice of the peace and immediately began to fimiliarize himself with the higher duties of this office, applying himself assiduously to the studying of surveying, conveyancing, the drafting of wills, and other legal papers upon which he would have to pass judgement and until 1898 he was continued in the office, so efficently serving that many of the difficulties of the neighborhood were amicably setted according to his judgement, without litagation. In the spring of 1898, he declined reelection, and his son, Ross, was elected in his place. During one year he also filled the office of a notary public. From 1863 to 1871 he owned and operated a job printing office in the borough, the purchased being made in order to to keep this industry in town, circumstances being such that otherwise it would have been removed, and thus he made a permanent business which long flourished. In 1871, Jacob Hildebrand was elected County surveyor, of Lancaster County, on the Republican ticket, and held the office for nearly four years; during that time he prepared with great labor and careful rsearch connected drafts of the land originally granted by patent deeds in the townships of Strasburg, Paradise, Bart, Eden, and the greater part of East and West Lampeter. Jacob Hildebrand was married Nov. 16, 1847, to Eliza Spiehlman, who died in 1865, leaving ten children: Elizabeth and Mary, decased; William W., Millars F., Ella S., the widow of Samuel Dougherty; John R., O. J., the wife of D. M. Aument; Laura K., the wife of Charles Kemerly; Sallie B., widow of J. W. Goodman; and J. Ross. In November, 1896 he married Elizabeth Kendig, the widow of John Pennell. Two of his sons are engaged in the leaf tobacco business, under the name of Hildebrand Bros., of Strasburg. ' Squire Hildebrand, as he is fimiliarly known is recognized as one of the most useful citizens of Strasburg; from a small begining, with almost no educational advantages, but by patient industry and study, he has advanced to a position of honor and trust in the community, and has transacted a large amount of important business, acting veryfrequently as administrator, assignee and executor, in the settling of many estates. Fraternally Mr. Hildebrand is a member of Stasburg Lodge, No. 301, I.O.O.F., having been a member since 1849, has passed thourgh all of the offices of the subordinate lodge, has been secratary of his own lodge for forty years and has served as represenative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvinia. Mr. Hildebrand is also a member of the Lancaster County Historical Society in which he is much valued, and is one of the offical members of the M.E. Church, having se rved in the capacity of truste since 1862. In his long business and public career, he has amassed a competency, but what is better, he has secured for himself a reputation as a high-minded, honorable man. Park B. Shank is a leading citizen and business man of Peters Creek, Fulton Township, Penna. " Now Peach Bottom, Fulton Township, Lancaster County, Penna. He is a grandson of Alexander Shank, who was a weaver by trade, and who had a family of eleven ( 11) children; William ( father of Park B. ), Joseph, Alexander, Thomas, John, Isabel, Adeline, Anna, Elizabeth, and Margaret. William was born in Ireland in 1808, and emigrated to America with his father, Alexander Shank while yet a youth. In 1831 he married Eliza Burkins, and eight ( 8 ) children were .born to them; Margaret deceased, Rachel, wife of Henry Weidley of Drumore Township, Park B., Alexander a carpenter in Clinton Co., Penna. Harriett, wife of Joseph Barnett, a Blacksmith of Drumore Township, Catherine, wife of Miles Fite of Philadelphia, Adeline, wife of Bruce Rush of Ohio. William, a shoemaker by trade, who died in Drumore Township in 1880 leaving a widow who followed him to the grave in 1887. Park B. Shank was reared in Drumore Township and received his education in the common schools of the district. In 1873 he married Dora, daughter of John Dorsey, and to this union have come eleven children, seven of who are living, as follows William, Charles, Park, Grover now deceased, Harriett, Thurman, and Andrew. Park B. commenced the active duties of life at age fourteen years, as a raftsman on the Susquehanna River, and followed that vocation for nearly forty years. In 1866 he opened a lumber yard at Benton Station, and soon afterward bought a sawmill and operated a business at Peach Bottom, Peters Creek. Since 1885 he has also carried on a coal business, contracted for slate work, and done general contracting and building. Besides his various other enterprises he operates a large farm of three hundred acres of the finest land, and does it in the most approved manner at that. He ia a large real estate proprietor, owning six dwellings in Peters Creek, besides a sawmill and lumber yard, a warehouse and other buildings located at various points. Mr. Shank started life with only his ability to hustle capital, and may be justly regarded a self made man in the proper sense of the word. He is the sole of honesty, and his word is as good as his signature, a proud distinction to have these days. He attributes his more than usual success in life of hard work, economy and strict attention to business. Financially he stands among the best in his neighborhood and all his wealth has been gained by his own unaided efforts. He is respected by all who know him. Mr. Shank is a Democrat in politics, and believes in the strict Jacksonian doctrines of his party. He is a Democrat from principal, but has no political aspirations for himself, only the belief that Democracy will eventually prove the salvation of his country. In religious belief he is protestant, but is a member of no church. Harvey Seiple , a retired business man of Quarryville, was born in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, Feb. 19, 1841. He is the son of John and Susan ( Anglenine ) Seiple. John Seiple, the father, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., in 1813. Mrs. Seiple was born in Northampton County, Pa., in April, 1815. John was the son of Samuel Seiple, who was born in Germany, and his wife Magdeline Shipe was also of German origin. Samuel Seiple settled on a farm in Drumore township, and for many years taught school in the County. He reared a family of five sons; Joseph, David, Samuel, George and John, the father of our subject. They are all dead except David who resides in Chester County. Of the brothers Samuel and George never married. Joseph made his home in Drumore township and there died. John Seiple married and settled on a farm in Drumore township, where he continued to live until 1896, when he bought a home in Quarryville, and lived a retired life until his death in 1898. His widow is still living in the home place, at the age of eighty- seven years. This couple reared a family of nine children. (1) William Seiple, who was born in Lancaster County, married Miss Tillie Hannah, of Maryland. When a young man he served in the Civil war Co. G, Pa. Cav., and took part in a number of battles. After the war he was engaged, with his brother, our subject, in the oil fields, Venango County, for twenty years, and then went to New York State where he sunk artesian wells for some time. In 1888 he engaged himself with English syndicate to drive oil wells in India, with two of his sons, Gay and John, is in that country at the present time. His wife and the rest of the family, Maud, May and Bert, reside in Lancaster city. ( 2 ) Samuel Seiple was born in Lancaster County and married Miss Mary J. Potts of Lancaster County, and they now reside at Princeton, Ill., where the husband is engaged in mercantile pursuits; they had five children; Edward who died when young; William, Owen, Lee, and Hattie, all being teachers in Illinois. ( 3 ) Harvey Seiple, our subject, was the next child. ( 4 ) Mary A. Seiple, deceased, was born in 1843, and married Jacob Rintz, of Lancaster County, and left a family of nine children; John, Harry, Charles, Laura, Emma, Mary, Ida, Lillie, and Minnie. ( 5 ) Catharine Seiple, deceased, was born in 1846, and married Simon Reese of Providence, Lancaster County, and left a large family as follows; Dora, Harvey Luticia, Lisle, May, Lottie, Maud, Lemuel, Melo and Sue. ( 6 ) Charles Seiple was born in 1852, and married Susan Gochman, of Lancaster County, and they reside in Drumore township, where he is a merchant, also serving as postmaster of that place; they have the following children : Lulu, Carrie, Harry, Charles, Maisey, Edna and Aurther. ( 7 ) Thomas Seiple was born in 1848, and during the Civil war was a soldier in the 53rd Pa. Regiment and served until the close of the war, after which he returned home and engaged in the oil business in Venango County, Pa. He married miss Alice C. Brooks, of Lancaster County. His family is in Lancaster County, while he is engaged in the oil enterprises of India with his brother. His children are as follows: Ada, Minnie, ( deceased ), Jennie, Alice, Frank, Mamie, Mellie, Leon, ( deceased ), and Chester. ( 8 ) James D. Seiple was born in 1854, and married Miss Carrie Jeffries, of Illinois, and they now reside in Carroll County, Ill., where he follows farming. Their children are: Roy, Mabel, and Frank. ( 9 ) Susan Seiple was born in 1856 and is the wife of David Rineer, of Quarryville; they reside at Newark and have the following children: Percy, Celia, Abram, and Clinton. Harvey Seiple was reared in Lancaster County, and received a common school education. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the 122nd P. V. L., Co. H, and was in the army of the Potomac under Gen. McClellan. He took part in the battles of Antietam, Fredricksburg and Chancellorville, and in May, 1863, re-enlisted in Co. G, 21st Pa. Cav. for six months. He was engaged in the Shenandoah valley under Gen. Sheriden, and took part in a number of engagements. At the expiration of his second enlistment, he re-enlisted in the same regiment until the close of the war. He remained on duty until Lee surrendered. Under Phil Sheriden he was engaged at Cold Harbor, Hatches Run, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Springs Church, and Petersburg. After the war he returned home, and was married, in 1869 to Louisa E. Brooks, of Lancaster, a daughter of Benjamin and Jane ( Barnett ) Brooks. Mrs. Seiple was born in Drumore township, in 1846, where she was reared and educated, and for several years before she was married, taught school. Three children were born to this union, all whom died in infancy. Alice L. Seiple, a niece, was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Seiple. After his marriage Mr. Seiple entered the oil fields in Venango County, and was engaged in the oil business for eighteen years. He met with an accident while there, caused by a mill explosion. which for a time seriously injured him. In 1888 he returned to Lancaster County, and for a time engaged in the restaurant business. About six years later he undertook a livery business, which he managed successfully. In 1898 his wife died in Quarryville borough. She was a member of the M. E. Church. On Oct. 9, 1901, Mr. Seiple married for his second wife Miss Louella Holmes, daughter of Dr. J. E. Holmes, of Virginia. They now reside in Quarryville. He is a member of the Republican party but seeks no office. He affiliates with the reformed church. Mr. Seiple is a member of the W. S. Bryerly Post, 511 G.A.R., of Quarryville, and filled all the chairs in that order. Mr. Seiple's family is one of the most respected in the County, and deservedly so, as four sons of the family volunteered their services at the call of their country. They did their duty manfully, and no record for bravery stands higher than that of the " Seiple boys" as they were known in those times. They are men of honor to-day in the community, and respected and loved by all who know them.