Notes:
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
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REV. DANIEL WOLGEMUTH The Wolgemuths are among the old and highly esteemed families of Lancaster county, of respected German ancestry, a race which through generations has shown those attributes of sterling worth which particularly belong to the Germans. Through connections by marriage it also claims kinship with a number of other prominent families of the county.
In Rev. Daniel Wolgemuth the biographer finds a most worthy representative of this family. He was born in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county, Aug. 2, 1844, son of Rev. Joseph and Barbara (Nissley) Wolgemuth, the former of whom died on the present farm of his son Daniel, after eight years of retirement, in 1884, at the age of sixty two years. Rev. Joseph Wolgemuth was a farmer by occupation, but for ten years prior to his death he was an acceptable minister in the River Brethren Church, by precept and example illustrating the beauty of a blameless life. The beloved mother lived to be seventy-two years old, almost reaching her seventy-third birthday, dying in 1892, and both parents were buried in the cemetery of the Cross Roads Meeting House, in East Donegal township. They had three sons and two daughters: Mrs. Levy Mumma; Mrs. Eli M. Musser, whose husband died five years ago; Martin, who is a retired farmer in East Donegal township; Aaron, who died in 1875; and Rev. Daniel. The paternal grandfather, Daniel Wolgemuth, a farmer of Mt. Joy township, married a Witmer; on the maternal side the grandfather was Martin Nissley, who also lived on a large farm in the same township; his wife was a Hershey. No records of that township would be complete without extended reference being made to each of these families.
Rev. Daniel Wolgemuth grew up in a Christian home, and was taught the value of honest industry and the benefits of a moral life. It has been said that the environment of early life very often determines its course, and this has been the case with Mr. Wolgemuth. He was born and reared on a farm, and has enjoyed agricultural life through many years. After his marriage he left the home roof and rented one of his father's farms for a space of five years, later becoming its owner. and until 1901 he continued in its active operation. Although an excellent farmer and good manager, Mr. Wolgemuth had the advantage of being able to turn his mind to still higher things, and in 1882 was ordained a minister in the religious body known both as River Brethren and Brethren in Christ. He is a vigorous and convincing preacher, and is regarded with esteem and affection throughout the locality visited in his ministerial labors. Since root he has taken no active part in farming operations, thus being able to give more time to his other calling.
The first marriage of Rev. Daniel Wolgemuth, solemnized Nov. 16, 1865, in Lancaster, was to Miss Anna Engle, and children were born to this union as follows: Hiram, who married Martha Musser, is a farmer in East Donegal township; Fanny married Aaron Heisey, a farmer of Rapho township; Barbara married Isaac Ginder, of Rapho township; Anna became the wife of Levi Martin, a farmer of Rapho township ; Jacob married Maggie Keener, of Mt. Joy township; Joseph married Kate Brubaker, and is a farmer of Rapho township; Daniel, who married Alice Sheets, is farming on the homestead; Ezra, Phares, Elizabeth, Lydia and Benjamin are all at home. Mrs. Anna (Engle) Wolgemuth was born in Rapho township Dec. 27, 1845, and died Jan. 21, 1900, at the age of fifty-four years. She was buried in the Mt. Pleasant Meeting House cemetery, in Mt. Joy township. Her parents were Jacob and Anna (Musser) Engle, the former a native of Conoy township, and the latter of East Donegal township. The father died May 29, 1892, at the age of eighty-six years, and was buried in the cemetery of the Cross Roads Meeting House, in East Donegal township. In his youth he was a fuller by trade, but later became an extensive farmer. The mother of the late Mrs. Wolgemuth resides with her son-in-law, a venerable and beloved old lady, having been born March r9. 1812. Both she and husband early connected themselves with the River Brethren Church. Their children were as follows: John, who is a retired farmer in Dickinson county. Kans.; Mary and Benjamin, who died young; Elizabeth (deceased), who married Henry Shelley; Susannah, who died young; Henry, who is a farmer in Rapho township; Anna, who became the first wife of Rev. Daniel Wolgemuth; Fanny, who became the second wife of Rev. Daniel Wolgemuth; Martha, who died young: and Eli, who is a farmer in Rapho township. The paternal grandparents of Mrs.. Wolgemuth were John and Elizabeth (Moyer) Engle, the former of whom was born in Conoy township, Lancaster county, and the latter in York county. The maternal grandparents were Henry and Mary (Engle) Musser, both of Lancaster county.
The second marriage of Rev. Daniel \Volgemuth. on Feb. 26, 1901, was to Mrs. Fanny (Engle) Hess, who was the widow of Jacob L. Hess, a native of Pequea township, this count y, who died April 6, 1897, aged seventy years. He was buried in the Pequea Church cemetery. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Lichty) Hess. of Lancaster. county. Mr. Hess was well known in this county, and at the time of death was a retired farmer. 1 lo was a member of Zion Children Church.
Rev- Daniel Wolgemuth is a man of force of character, honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow men, and enjoys a large measure of esteem in his locality.