Aaron B. Demmy
Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA
Submitted by Pete MorozFrom Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, p. 1045
AARON B. DEMMY, the leading paper hanger, painter and wall paper merchant of Elizabethtown, is a man of extensive business interests, and in addition to his work just mentioned, he is president of the Elizabethtown Electric Light Co. He was born in Mount Joy township, Lancaster county, Jan. 1, 1850, a son of Christ. and Matilda (Brandt) Demmy, both natives of Lancaster county.
Christ. Demmy was a farmer and a shoemaker, and at one time served his community as tax collector. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and they died in Mt. Joy township, much respected for their peaceful and industrious lives. They were parents of the following children: Harriet, wife of Emanuel Flowers, of Harrisburg; Fiana, who married, first, Daniel Killian, and after his death Harrison Shultz, a notary public at Elizabethtown; Sarah, wife of William Connely, of Harrisburg; Miss Lavina, a resident of Harrisburg; Aaron B.; Miss Tillie B., a resident of Elizabethtown; and Lydia, wife of George Smith, a painter of Elizabethtown. The father died in 1883, at the age of seventy-one, and the mother in 1890, at the age of seventy-three; both were buried in the Mt. Tunnel Cemetery. The mother was twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Balmer, to whom she bore one child, Fanny, deceased wife of Abraham Shaffer. John Demmy, the father of Christ. Demmy, and the grandfather of Aaron B., was a life-long resident of Lancaster county.
Aaron B. Demmy was married, in 1877, in Bainbridge, Pa., to Miss Fanny Risser, and three children were born to bless this union: Phares, deceased; Lillie R., and Ada R. Mrs. Fanny (Risser) Demmy was born in Mt. Joy township Jan. 10, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Fanny (Nissley) Risser, natives of Lebanon and Lancaster counties, respectively, and both died at their home in Mt. Joy township. Her father was a farmer, and died in December, 1896, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother died in March, 1882, at the age of sixty-four, and their remains are resting in the cemetery connected with Risser's Church. They were members of the Mennonite Church, and were known as thoroughly honorable and upright people.
Mr. and Mrs. Risser have had the following children: Lizzie, wife of Christian Good, of Conoy township; ;Levi, who married Amanda Nissley, and is now deceased; Mary, who married Rev. Levi Ebersole, a Mennonite clergyman in Elizabethtown; Anna, who married Levi Longenecker; Fanny; Joseph, a farmer located on the old homestead in Mt. Joy township; Martin, a farmer and minister at Zion's church; Amanda, wife of Ben Hersh; and Amos, a farmer in Mt. Joy township.
Mrs. Demmy's paternal grandfather was Peter Risser, of Lancaster county, where he passed his entire life. Her maternal grandfather was Martin Nissley, also of Lancaster county, where his life was passed in agricultural pursuits; his wife's maiden name was Hershey.
Aaron B. Demmy remained on the farm with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he began to learn the painter and paper-hanging trade at Harrisburg. When his apprenticeship of three years was over, he cam to Elizabethtown, and embarked in business for himself under very favorable auspices, which have been amply fulfilled by the large and profitable trade he has secured. He and his wife are members of the Mennonite Church, and in his political views he harmonizes with the Democrats. Not very long ago in connection with several wise and conservative investors he bought the Elizabethtown Electric Light Co., of which he was made president, and which has proved an extremely profitable investment.
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