Notizen zu dieser Person
Source: Biographical Annals of Lancaster Co., Pa., 1903, by J. H. Beers & Co., page 1471-1472.
JOHN BAIRD BACHMAN, a venerable resident of Columbia, was, during his active years, prominently identified with the business interests of that place as the proprietor of a large planing-mill, and lumber yard, and at the time of his retirement he was probably the oldest manufacturer in his line in the State. Mr. Bachman's ancestors on both sides have been numbered among the best citizens of Lancaster county. His great-grandfather, Felix Bachman, emigrated to this country from Switzerland in 1740, and, settling in Bart township, Lancaster county, purchased 650 acres of land from the heirs of William Penn, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He had two sons, George and Jacob. The latter, who became the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bart township on the tract mentioned, and in the house which the father erected soon after purchasing the place. This old dwelling is still standing. He was a farmer by occupation. At the age of seventeen he was drafted for service in the Revolutionary war, but the conflict closed before he was needed. He married Ann Heidlebach, and they raised a family of five children: George, Samuel, Jacob, Ann and Elizabeth. Samuel Bachman, the father of our subject, was born in 1791, on the old home place, and passed all his days in that locality, dying April 1, 1882, at the great age of ninety-one. He was a man of energetic habits, both of mind and of body, and, as one of the most intelligent citizens of his day and place, took an active part in all the affairs of his locality. As merchant, landlord and farmer he prospered in business. His good judgment and popularity gave his opinion great weight among his neighbors, and he was frequently called upon to assist in the settlement of estates. Samuel Bachman first married Rebecca G. Baird, who was born in 1796, in Colerain township, this county, and died in 1831. Their children were: John P., whose name opens this sketch; Hiram F., deceased, who was killed by lightning; Samuel H., deceased; and Miss Anna A., now residing in Bart township. By his second wife, Isabella Bowers, Mr. Bachman had children as follows: Harriet E. and Rebecca I., both unmarried who reside with their sister Anna in Bart township; and William, who died in infancy. To his third union with Hannah Pickle, came one child, Hannah M., who married James M. Irwin, a farmer of Bart township. On the maternal side our subject traces his ancestry to Thomas and Agnes Baird, who were of Scotch-Irish extraction. He came to this country from Tyrone, Ireland, about 1750, and settled in Colerain township, this county, taking up three hundred acres of land. He served in Colonial wars, and his son John, the maternal grandfather of our subject, served in the Revolution. The latter was born in Colerain township, and died in 1822. He was a man of prominence in his locality, and served as magistrate in Bart and Colerain townships. John Baird married Abigail Gaillilard and they had the following named children: Thomas, John, Francis (all of whom migrated West), Patience (Mrs. Miler), Sarah (Mrs. Reeves), Rebecca G. (Mrs. Bachman) and (Mrs. Andrews). John B. Bachman was born March 22, 1820, on the old home place in Bart township, and there spent his early life. During his boyhood he attended the select schools of the neighborhood, receiving a good practical education. His first business experiences were gained by helping his father in the country store and village hotel, and at the age of seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of carpenter, which he continued to follow until 1852. In that year, desiring to extend his business interests, he removed to Columbia, with which place he has since been identified. Until 1894 Mr. Bachman conducted a large planing mill and lumber yard, engaging extensively in the manufacture of sash doors and blinds, also in building, and he became widely known as one of the most reliable business men in this section. Since 1895 he has lived retired. However, he still takes a deep interest in the affairs of his town, and he has served as burgess of Columbia for the past three years. Mr. Bachman previously served nine years as councilman, and his fidelity to the best interests of the town has been a marked characteristic of these years of service. Originally an old line Whig, his political sympathies are now with the Republican party. Like his ancestors, he is a Presbyterian in religious faith. Mr. Bachman was married in 1847, at Georgetown, Bart township, to Miss Isabella Knox, and the following named children were born to them: Florence Rebecca, who is mentioned below; Hyde L., John K., Anna I., and Jennie Gail, all deceased; and Mary Gertrude, aiso deceased, who was the wife of Charles H. Haldeman, of Columbia. The eldest daughter first married Abraham R. Breneman, son of Abraham Breneman, and they had one daughter, Jennie, who is deceased. Mr. Breneman was engaged in mercantile business. Mrs. Breneman is now the wife of Col. Christian Shuman Kauffman, an iron merchant of Columbia. They have no children.
Mrs. Isabella (Knox) Bachman was born June 15, 1829, in Bart township, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Ann (Rockey) and granddaughter of George and Catherine (Baker) Rockey, who were natives of Bart township, Lancaster county, and Northumberlan county, respectively; both died in Bart township. Her great-grandfather, Henry Rockey, a native of Switzerland, came to America in an early day making his permanent home in Bart township. He served in the Revolution. Mrs. Bachman's father, Matthew Knox, was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1825, making his home in Bart township. He was a shoemaker by occupation. To his marriage with Elizabeth Ann Rockey, a native of Bart township, were born four children, all now deceased except Mrs. Bachman--George; Mary who married John Q. Taggart; Isabella, Mrs. Bachman; and Catherine, who died young. The mother passed away in 1834, at the early age of twenty-eight, and the father survived until 1838, dying at the age of fifty.
Karl
Held
